As part of the COST Action MiCropBiomes, the 4th MiCropBiomes Training School, entitled "Training School on SynComs Development", was held from 20 to 23 July 2026 at the University of Girona, Spain. Research Assistant Isidora Knežević participated in the training school together with researchers from Italy, France, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Spain.The training school programme included lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions dedicated to the development of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) and their application in sustainable agriculture. During the lectures, participants gained insight into the principles of SynCom design, plant–microorganism interactions, the application of bioinformatics tools for bacterial genome analysis, the production and formulation of microbial consortium, as well as the regulatory framework governing the development and application of beneficial microorganisms.
The practical component of the programme was conducted in the laboratories of the University of Girona, where participants acquired hands-on experience in the characterization of beneficial bacteria, molecular analyses using PCR techniques, the evaluation of the plant growth-promoting potential of bacterial consortium, and sample preparation and imaging using confocal microscopy.
Participation in this training school provided an excellent opportunity to acquire new knowledge and practical skills, exchange experiences with researchers from various European institutions, and establish new international scientific collaborations that will contribute to future research activities and strengthen the international cooperation.