In recent years, a lot of scientific knowledge has made its way to the greater public, raising interest in the human microbiomes, which are mostly understood as the universe of gut bacteria that determine our health status and wellbeing, as well as our immune and hormonal systems. The microbiomes are key players to many natural processes in agriculture, food and drinking systems, waste degradation, recycling, and the creation of new materials. Besides the production of healthier, and more natural and sustainable foods, innovations involving microbiomes can already be seen in agriculture and crop production, for example in plant protection through bio-pesticides or in climate-friendly waste degradation systems reusing and recycling materials and energy. Many exciting microbiome-related scientific discoveries and innovations in microbiological and microbial systems can be expected in the coming decades, which may help to address challenges in human health, sustainable food production, biodiversity, and climate change.

The STOA workshop is organised in two sessions: the first will discusses the clinical implications of microbiomes, whilst the second will analyse the economic and regulatory aspects of microbiomes.

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PROGRAMME

14:00-14:10 - WELCOME

Eva Kaili, MEP and STOA Chair

14:10-14:55 - HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF MICROBIOMES

Moderator: Nassos Typas, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany

Emmanuelle Maguin, INRAE, France

The microbiome-host symbiosis, a cornerstone of human health

Elisabetta Caselli, University of Ferrara, Italy

Microbial strategies to reduce pathogens and drug resistance in clinical settings

Lene Lange, LLa-BioEconomy, Denmark

Microbiomes for animal health and environmental sustainability

14:55-15:40 ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY ASPECTS OF MICROBIOMES

Moderator: Irene Verheijen, European Association for Food Law (EFLA)

Angela Sessitsch, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)

How tiny little things run the earth and the circular economies

Martha Hugas, European Food and Safety Agency (EFSA)

Safety and regulatory challenges for microbiome innovations

Kathleen d`Hondt, Flemish Government, Belgium

Policy options for microbiome innovations: perspectives from the OECD

15:40-16:20 Q&A

16:20-16:30 CLOSING REMARKS

Othmar Karas, MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament

Please note the event will be held in English only, without interpretation.