NGS-4-ECOPROD

NGS-4-Ecoprod Innovation Bootcamp at CBS

webmaster — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:00:51 +0000

Workshop: « From Raw Reads to Results – Command Line Validation of Fungal Data »

webmaster — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 10:30:43 +0000

Participation in the Univ Expo Fair at the University of Sfax

webmaster — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:00:24 +0000

Date : July 16–17, 2025
As part of the dissemination and outreach activities of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project, our team actively participated in the Univ’Expo Fair, held at the University of Sfax on July 16 and 17, 2025.
This annual event, which brings together academic institutions, research projects, students, and the general public, served as a valuable platform to present the objectives, structure, and early outcomes of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project to a broad and diverse audience.
Objectives of Participation

To raise awareness about the goals and innovative aspects of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project
To engage with students, educators, researchers, and stakeholders in the field of sustainable agriculture and biotechnology
To promote knowledge sharing around next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and their role in ecoproduction systems

Activities at the Exhibition Booth
The NGS-4-ECOPROD team set up an interactive booth featuring:

Visual presentations of the project’s work packages, partners, and scientific goals
Informational materials such as brochures, posters, and project flyers
Live demonstrations and discussions with project members on sequencing workflows and applications in sustainable farming
A Q&A corner where visitors could ask about careers in bioinformatics, genomics, and ecological data analysis

Impact and Engagement
The event attracted a large number of visitors, including university students, academic staff, and representatives from the agricultural and biotechnology sectors. Our presence helped:

Strengthen visibility of the project at the national level
Stimulate interest in emerging genomic technologies
Encourage student participation in upcoming workshops and training activities within the project

Participation in Univ’Expo 2025 reflects our commitment to open science, capacity building, and inclusive dissemination of research outcomes to diverse audiences.

Follow-up Meeting – Building Biotech Synergies in Sfax

webmaster — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 12:00:45 +0000

Date : Monday, June 30, 2025
📍 Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS)
As part of the ongoing activities of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project, a follow-up meeting was successfully held on June 30, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration within the biotechnology ecosystem in Sfax.
The meeting convened representatives from the Health Cluster, members of the NGS-4-ECOPROD consortium, and the Scientific Council of the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS). This gathering served as a continuation of Workshop 5, titled “Towards a Biotech Cluster in Sfax”, which took place from April 4 to 6, 2025.
Strategic Alignment with WP4 Objectives
This meeting aligns with the objectives of Work Package 4 (WP4): Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management, and more specifically, with Task 4.3: Networking and Clustering Activity. WP4 aims to foster knowledge exchange, promote strategic partnerships, and enhance the long-term impact of the project through stakeholder engagement and regional clustering initiatives.
Meeting Highlights

Review of outcomes and key takeaways from Workshop 5
Identification of shared priorities and collaborative opportunities among biotech stakeholders
Discussion of the roadmap for establishing a sustainable biotechnology cluster in the Sfax region
Exploration of future joint actions in research, innovation, and capacity building

Outcomes and Outlook
The session facilitated constructive dialogue and coordination among regional actors, laying the groundwork for the formalization of biotech synergies that support innovation and sustainable development. Participants emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to reinforce regional leadership in green biotechnology and to align local capacities with international standards.
This follow-up meeting reflects the NGS-4-ECOPROD project’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, regional development, and the creation of lasting impacts beyond the project lifecycle.

Participation in World Environment Day

webmaster — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:08 +0000

Date : June 11, 2025
📍 Wholesale Market, Sfax
As part of its outreach and awareness-raising efforts, the NGS-4-ECOPROD project actively participated in the celebration of World Environment Day on June 11, 2025, at the Wholesale Market of Sfax.
Organized in collaboration with local authorities, environmental organizations, and civil society actors, the event served as a platform to engage the public on topics related to sustainable agriculture, green biotechnology, and environmental stewardship.
NGS-4-ECOPROD at the Event
The project team hosted an informative stand that included:

Scientific posters presenting the goals, structure, and work packages of the project
Outreach materials on the role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in promoting ecologically sustainable farming practices
Interactive discussions with visitors about the environmental benefits of biotechnology in agriculture

Objectives of Participation

To raise awareness about the environmental dimensions of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project
To connect with the local community and stakeholders interested in green innovation
To promote knowledge-sharing on the integration of genomics in ecological production systems

The presence of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project contributed to a dynamic and educational atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of research and innovation in addressing environmental challenges.
🌱 By taking part in this event, the project reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, biodiversity preservation, and active engagement with society.

Infrastructure Design of CBS Server and Crew Training

webmaster — Mon, 05 May 2025 07:00:13 +0000

📅 Visit of Dr. Heiko Liesegang – Last Week of May 2025
📍 Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS)
As part of the ongoing collaboration within the NGS-4-ECOPROD project, Dr. Heiko Liesegang, partner from the German consortium and expert in data management and bioinformatics infrastructure, visited the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS) during the last week of May 2025.
This visit focused on strategic discussions and hands-on planning related to the design and implementation of the local server infrastructure intended to support the bioinformatics workflows of the project, particularly within the scope of Work Package 4 (WP4): Data Management and IT Support.
Key Objectives of the Visit

To assess the existing IT infrastructure and identify technical requirements for server deployment
To provide expertise in the design of a scalable, secure, and high-performance bioinformatics server
To define data storage, processing, and backup protocols aligned with FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)
To deliver targeted training for CBS technical staff on system maintenance, data handling, and access control

Activities and Outcomes
Throughout the week, several working sessions were conducted involving CBS system administrators, researchers, and NGS-4-ECOPROD project members. Key outcomes included:

A preliminary blueprint for the CBS server infrastructure, including hardware and software specifications
Selection of key tools for data management and user access control
Scheduling of follow-up training modules and documentation workflows for long-term sustainability
Strengthened collaboration between CBS and the German partner institution, fostering knowledge exchange and technical upskilling

This technical visit represents a critical step towards ensuring that CBS hosts a robust infrastructure capable of supporting high-throughput sequencing data, collaborative research, and secure long-term data stewardship.
🔧 The initiative lays the foundation for empowering local teams with the necessary tools and skills to manage and analyze complex genomic datasets, in full alignment with the project’s mission to promote eco-innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture.

Event Recap – « NGS for the Future: Connecting Research, Technology, and Society » 🔬🧬💡

webmaster — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:00:58 +0000

Over the course of three dynamic days, the NGS-4-ECOPROD project hosted a special event titled « NGS for the Future: Connecting Research, Technology, and Society », dedicated to exploring the most advanced sequencing technologies shaping the future of science and innovation.
Each day was dedicated to a major platform in the field of next-generation sequencing (NGS), offering stakeholders, researchers, and students the opportunity to deepen their understanding and engage in meaningful discussion with experts.
📅 April 28, 2025
MGI’s DNBSEQ: The New Era of Sequencing
This first day focused on MGI Technology, featuring plenary talks highlighting the capabilities and innovations of the DNBSEQ platform. Speakers discussed how MGI is paving the way for a more cost-effective and efficient sequencing future.
📅 April 30, 2025
Illumina: The Gold Standard in Next-Generation Sequencing
The second session spotlighted Illumina technology, often considered the gold standard in short-read sequencing. Experts shared insights on high-accuracy applications in genomics research, diagnostics, and ecological data generation.
📅 May 15, 2025
Oxford Nanopore Technologies – Long-Read Sequencing in Real Time
The third and final day centered on Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), with a focus on long-read sequencing and real-time data analysis. Presentations showcased ONT’s flexibility and real-world applications in metagenomics, pathogen surveillance, and agricultural ecosystems.
💬 Each session included:
✔️ Plenary conferences led by leading researchers and company representatives
✔️ Interactive roundtable discussions with multidisciplinary stakeholders
✔️ Open dialogue on the integration of NGS in research, health, agriculture, and beyond
These three days were a unique opportunity to foster connections between science, technology, and society — fully in line with the mission of NGS-4-ECOPROD to drive innovation through collaboration.
👏 A big thank you to all our speakers, participants, and partners who contributed to the success of this event!

Workshop – « Towards a Biotech Cluster in Sfax »

webmaster — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:00:20 +0000

Date : April 5, 2025
📍 The Z hotel Sfax (Sfax)
As part of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project’s strategic vision for long-term impact and regional innovation, a high-level workshop entitled « Towards a Biotech Cluster in Sfax » was held on April 5, 2025, at the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS).
This event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from both national and international biotechnology ecosystems, including researchers, policy-makers, industry representatives, and innovation cluster managers.
Key Objectives

To explore pathways for the development of a biotechnology cluster in the Sfax region
To benefit from experiences and best practices in cluster creation and management from Tunisia and abroad
To foster strategic partnerships across sectors (academia, research, industry, and policy)
To align local capabilities with national and international biotech development strategies

Distinguished Guests and Contributions
The workshop featured valuable contributions from several cluster development experts, notably the participation of Dr. Nada Radaoui, whose expertise and insights into innovation ecosystems and cluster governance were particularly enriching.
International and local cluster representatives shared case studies, governance models, and collaborative frameworks that have been successfully implemented in other regions, offering inspiration and guidance for the emergence of a Sfax-based biotech innovation hub.
Outcomes and Next Steps

Identification of key strategic pillars for cluster development: infrastructure, human capital, regulatory support, and private-public partnerships
Consensus on the importance of multi-stakeholder coordination and continuous dialogue
Recommendations for establishing a roadmap toward cluster formalization, to be further explored in future follow-up meetings and project actions (see also: Follow-up Meeting on June 30, 2025)

This workshop was organized under Work Package 4 (WP4): Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management, specifically aligned with Task 4.3 – Networking and Clustering Activity.
🤝 The event marked an important milestone in the collective ambition to position Sfax as a leading regional player in green and sustainable biotechnology.

NGS-4-Ecoprod Workshop on Automated Electrophoresis Systems

webmaster — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 15:00:50 +0000

Date : March 3–4, 2025

The NGS-4-Ecoprod project participated in a hands-on workshop on the Agilent Tapestation 4150 Automated Electrophoresis System, organized by Précision Électronique at the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax (CBS).

The workshop aimed to familiarize researchers and technical staff with advanced automated electrophoresis techniques, a critical tool for high-quality nucleic acid analysis and metagenomics applications within the project.

Participants included three members from each laboratory, notably the four WP1 task leaders and their technical staff, ensuring that each work package benefited directly from practical training on sample preparation, system operation, and data interpretation.

This hands-on training strengthened the technical capacities of both researchers and laboratory personnel, supporting the accurate and efficient generation of sequencing-ready samples, which is essential for advancing the NGS-4-Ecoprod project objectives in eco-innovative bioproducts.

NGS-4-Ecoprod at the “Improving Microbiota for Better Health” Conference and Workshop

webmaster — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 15:00:46 +0000