INTERFUTURE | Objectives

The main specific objectives of the INTERFUTURE project are:

•   Connect key disciplines, flow of information and expertise to consolidate a new technology platform merging academia and industry to develop innovative plant protection and biofertilization tools across the training network and form new experts in this intersectoral subject.

•   Overcome bottlenecks in bio-based products application by exploring the ecology of microbe-host interaction at the community level.

•   Improve existing microbial biofertilisers by unravelling the biology and exploiting the complementarities of nitrogen-fixing and growth-promoting bacteria.

•   Exploit natural molecules to shape plant-beneficial microflora and improve plant resilience to disease.

•   Develop novel volatile organic compounds of bacterial origin for the control of soilborne diseases.

•   Design and develop innovative insect traps and trapping strategies based on the activity of kairomones produced by microorganisms.

INTERFUTURE has a highly multidisciplinary, network-based approach. In parallel with the project activities, which will by themselves favour the cross-fertilization among the Beneficiaries being focused at innovative product development, networking will be based on timely contacts and exchange of information (mainly via videoconference and email), between the students and supervisors/co-supervisors, and with the workforce involved in product development. The early stage researchers will be exposed to the Academic sector at the beginning of their doctoral studies, so to foster the knowledge acquisition required to develop innovative ideas. Subsequently, early stage researchers will be seconded to the industrial sector to allow the translation of ideas into technology.