Under the Microscope: MIRRI-ERIC closes EU-LAC ResInfra Plus with great international impact and cooperation

The EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project has come to an end, with the closing happening on 31 December 2025, and MIRRI-ERIC actively contributed to this Horizon Europe (HE) initiative. MIRRI-ERIC was represented by its partner, the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT, University of Valencia), supporting strengthened collaboration between European and Latin American microbial research communities.

Under the framework of the programme, MIRRI-ERIC's engagement, coordinated through CECT, focused on two main actions: participation in the 10th International Workshop "Advances in Science and Technology of Bioresources" in Pucón, Chile, in December 2024, and a study visit and capacity-building programme at CECT in Valencia, Spain, in April 2025.

 

Workshop in Chila fostered connections

At the workshop in Chile, Rosa Aznar and Aurora Zuzuarregui, representing MIRRI-ERIC through CECT, presented MIRRI-ERIC's approach to facilitating access to high-quality microbial resources, harmonised services, and recognised quality frameworks. The sessions fostered EU–LAC cooperation, promoted partnerships between microbial research infrastructures, and laid the groundwork for subsequent collaborative activities, including the study visit to Valencia.

The Valencia capacity-building programme, hosted at CECT as MIRRI-ERIC's local representative, brought together professionals from eight Latin American countries, including the current President of the Latin American Federation of Culture Collections (FELACC). Participants were joined by Ana Portugal Melo, MIRRI-ERIC Executive Director, Rosa Aznar, CECT Director and Spanish National Node Coordinator, and other CECT experts.

This programme provided targeted training and knowledge exchange on microbial resource centre management, legal and quality standards, and cooperation between research infrastructures. Participants actively shared expertise, explored institutional capacities, and identified opportunities for sustained collaboration. Several expressed interest in establishing national MIRRI-ERIC nodes, strengthening ties with MIRRI-ERIC, and aligning with international quality standards.

 

A success story from the project

A notable outcome of these activities was achieved by Sergio de los Santos Villalobos (COLMENA, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Mexico), who learned about the first Transnational Access (TNA) call of the Microbes-4-Climate project during the Valencia study visit and later submitted a successful proposal, demonstrating the direct impact of the EU–LAC engagement.

Overall, MIRRI-ERIC's contribution to EU-LAC ResInfra Plus, via CECT, enhanced the visibility of European microbial research infrastructures in Latin America, reinforced bilateral scientific networks, and laid a solid foundation for lasting cooperation in microbial resources and biotechnology.

 

EU-LAC ResInfra Plus project members at Valencia (Spain)

 

Under the Microscope: a new way to keep on track of MIRRI-ERIC news

Every first Friday of each month, MIRRI-ERIC will release a news article on its website showcasing key developments, from funded research projects to collaboration opportunities and milestones across our network. Stay tuned!