The IS_MIRRI21 H2020 Project: Implementing the MIRRI-ERIC

Abstract

The IS_MIRRI21 project running from 2020-2023 aims to implement the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI) and secure its long-term sustainability. The mission of MIRRI is to serve Bioscience and Bioindustry by providing (a) a broad range of high-quality biological resources and associated data, (b) long-term sustainability of microbial biodiversity, and (c) knowledge and professional development. This mission will be achieved by offering users from academia, governmental laboratories and the private sector access to a portfolio of microbial Biological Resource Centres´ (mBRCs), services, expertise, education and training build-up and synergistically on the top of mBRCs proficiencies. To accelerate innovative research processes in life sciences and biotechnology using microorganisms, or their derivatives, IS_MIRRI21 has set up MIRRIs single-entry point portal to promote its services, resources, expertise and knowledge transfer activities, as well as to provide access to partners´ resource associated data made interoperable for data searching and data mining. The continuously increasing knowledge will be transferred to users via expert clusters (e.g., for legal framework, for biosecurity, to support training and education programs, information and cut edge technology, etc.). It will promote cross-disciplinary and innovative solutions (industry and academic) research collaboration through the transnational access offer in different microbial topics defined in pipeline services. With this project, MIRRI has become an ERIC in June 2022, and is a Landmark in the Health & Food domain of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap. It is still working to consolidate its operation and enlarge the membership and European coverage and beyond.