As part of its dissemination and institutional impact assessment activities, the NGS-4-ECOPROD project was featured during the CBS Open Day, organized on 31 March 2026 at the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax.

The event brought together a broad audience representing the entire CBS community, including academic staff, researchers, engineers, technicians, administrative personnel, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students. The objective was to present the achievements and long-term impact of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project on the Centre’s scientific, technological, and organizational capacities.

During the event, Prof. Slim Tounsi, Project Coordinator and Director General of CBS, delivered a comprehensive presentation highlighting the project’s main objectives, activities, and achievements over its implementation period. Particular emphasis was placed on the project’s contribution to strengthening Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) capacities, upgrading research infrastructure, improving technical expertise, enhancing international collaboration, and fostering innovation in eco-biotechnology.

The presentation also showcased the scientific progress achieved through the development of innovative bio-based products, including biopesticides, extremozymes, bioplastics, and other high-value biotechnological applications. Furthermore, the audience was informed about the numerous training activities, staff exchanges, scientific publications, networking initiatives, and international partnerships established through the project.

To assess the perceived impact of the project within the institution, an evaluation questionnaire was distributed to all participants. The survey aimed to collect feedback on the added value of NGS-4-ECOPROD in several key areas, including:

• Research and innovation capacity enhancement;
• Access to advanced scientific equipment and technologies;
• Development of human resources and technical skills;
• International visibility and networking opportunities;
• Institutional modernization and competitiveness;
• Future sustainability and exploitation of project outcomes.

The feedback collected during the Open Day provided valuable insights into the project’s institutional impact and demonstrated a high level of appreciation among CBS staff for the opportunities created through NGS-4-ECOPROD. Participants highlighted the project’s role in transforming CBS into a stronger and more internationally connected research institution, capable of addressing emerging challenges in biotechnology and sustainable development.

This event represented an important WP4 dissemination and exploitation activity, ensuring that project achievements were shared internally and that stakeholder feedback could contribute to maximizing the long-term sustainability and impact of the NGS-4-ECOPROD legacy.

Date : 26 March 2026

📍 Location: El Mouradi Gammarth Hotel, Tunis, Tunisia
📦 NGS-4-ECOPROD Work Package: WP4 – Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management

The NGS-4-ECOPROD Closing Ceremony was held on 26 March 2026 at El Mouradi Gammarth Hotel in Tunis, marking the successful completion of the project and providing an opportunity to showcase its major achievements, scientific outcomes, and future perspectives.

The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the University of Sfax, the Horizon Europe Program Management Unit (UGPO Horizon Europe Tunisia), project partners, researchers, and stakeholders from the scientific and innovation ecosystem.

The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses from Prof. Slim Tounsi, Director General of the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax and Project Coordinator, Prof. Ahmed Hadj Kacem, President of the University of Sfax, Prof. Helmi Merdassi, Director General of the Horizon Europe Program Management Unit, and Prof. Mourad Bellassoued, Head of the Office of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Their interventions highlighted the importance of international cooperation, capacity building, and research excellence in strengthening Tunisia’s integration into the European Research Area.

A comprehensive overview of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project was presented by Prof. Slim Tounsi, who summarized the project’s objectives, key achievements, and impact on research and innovation capacities at the Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax.

The ceremony also featured contributions from the European partners. Dr. Heiko Liesegang (Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany), leader of WP2, and Prof. Joel Lachuer (Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, France), leader of WP3, reflected on the project’s achievements in strengthening next-generation sequencing (NGS) capacities and improving technical expertise. They also discussed opportunities for future collaborations and the sustainability of the partnerships established through the project.

A dedicated scientific session focused on the progress achieved under WP1 – Development of Innovative Eco-Biotech Products through NGS Technology Exploitation. The leaders of the different research tasks presented the scientific advances obtained in the project’s flagship research areas, including:

• Development of innovative extremozymes for industrial applications;
• Design of next-generation sporeless biopesticides;
• Production of ergothioneine as a high-value bioactive compound;
• Development of sustainable bioplastics from microbial resources.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion session, followed by a networking lunch that enabled participants to exchange ideas and explore future research and innovation opportunities beyond the project’s lifetime.

As a major dissemination and communication activity under WP4, the Closing Ceremony successfully highlighted the scientific achievements, capacity-building outcomes, and international partnerships established through NGS-4-ECOPROD, while paving the way for future collaborative initiatives in microbial genomics and sustainable biotechnology.

https://ngs4ecoprod.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/snapsave-app_1293311852995243_hd.mp4

Day 1 – Biopesticides and Enzymes

📅 Date: 24 March 2026
📍 Location: Radisson Hotel Sfax, Tunisia
📦 NGS-4-ECOPROD Work Package: WP4 – Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management

The first day of the conference focused on two major themes: Biopesticides and Enzymes, highlighting the contribution of next-generation sequencing technologies to the development of eco-innovative biotechnological products.

The biopesticides session addressed advances in Bacillus thuringiensis genomics, Cry toxin engineering, microbial pathogenicity mechanisms, and sustainable pest management solutions. International experts from the United States, Germany, and Tunisia presented cutting-edge research demonstrating how microbial genome analysis can accelerate the development of environmentally friendly biopesticides.

The enzymes session explored innovative approaches for enzyme discovery, characterization, and engineering. Topics included computational enzyme engineering, microbial hydrolases and oxidoreductases, extremophilic enzymes, genome characterization, and actinomycete ecology. These presentations illustrated the growing role of microbial enzymes in supporting sustainable industrial processes and the circular bioeconomy.

The day provided an excellent opportunity for scientific exchange and networking among researchers, students, and stakeholders involved in biotechnology and microbial genomics.

Day 2 – Bioinformatics, Health and Bioplastics

📅 Date: 25 March 2026
📍 Location: Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, Tunisia
📦 NGS-4-ECOPROD Work Package: WP4 – Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication, and Data Management

The second day of the conference was dedicated to Bioinformatics & Health and Bioplastics, two strategic research areas that play a crucial role in addressing current environmental and societal challenges.

The bioinformatics session highlighted the growing impact of artificial intelligence and genome sequencing technologies on health sciences and biomedical research. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging trends in bioinformatics, as well as the progress achieved in genome sequencing and data analysis in Tunisia and beyond.

The bioplastics session focused on sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, including the production of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and the application of next-generation sequencing tools to study complex microbial communities involved in environmental biotechnology.

The conference concluded with a final discussion session that encouraged the exchange of ideas, identification of future research opportunities, and reinforcement of international scientific partnerships, fully aligned with the dissemination and networking objectives of WP4.

• Day 1: Design Thinking workshop and development of a Business Model Canvas to assess project viability.
• Day 2: Introduction to the key components of a business plan, including market analysis and financial strategy.
• Day 3: Project pitching session, where participants presented their ideas and received feedback from experts.

A key highlight of the event was the participation of the four task leaders of Work Package 1 (WP1) of the NGS-4-Ecoprod project, accompanied by their students, to advance the business development and pitching preparation of their innovation projects:

• Task 1.1 – Biopesticides: Dr. Raida Zribi Zghal and Ms. Ines Chouaibi
• Task 1.2 – Extremozymes: Dr. Nadia Zarai Jaouadi
• Task 1.3 – Bioplastics: Dr. Fatma Karray and Ms. Jihen El Ghazel
• Task 1.4 – WP1 Leader: Dr. Najla Kharrat and Ms. Cyrine Abid

The bootcamp also involved several CBS researchers and project leaders, including Dr. Basma Hadj Kacem, Dr. Mariem Ellouze, Prof. Sonia Khoufi, and Eng. Fathi Aloui, fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.
 
This initiative played an important role in strengthening the entrepreneurial dimension of research projects, helping participants refine their business models, value propositions, and communication strategies. It also contributed to bridging the gap between scientific research and market-oriented innovation, supporting the NGS-4-Ecoprod mission to promote eco-innovation and sustainable bio-based solutions.

Date :July 22, 23, 24, 29, and 30, 2025

As part of Work Package 3 (WP3) of the NGS-4-ECOPROD project, a technical workshop entitled « From Raw Reads to Results: Command Line Validation of Fungal Data » was held in a hybrid format on July 22, 23, 24, 29, and 30, 2025.

The workshop was led by Julien Fourret, a specialist in bioinformatics and fungal genomics. It aimed to provide participants with hands-on experience in the processing and validation of fungal sequencing data using command-line tools — a crucial step in ensuring the quality and reproducibility of genomic analyses in ecoproduction research.

Objectives of the Workshop

• To introduce participants to essential command-line tools and workflows used in fungal data processing
• To train researchers on best practices for quality control, data filtering, and validation of sequencing outputs
• To foster autonomy in handling next-generation sequencing (NGS) data in the context of environmental and agricultural microbiomes

Workshop Format and Audience

• Format: Hybrid (on-site and online participation)
• Duration: 5 sessions over two weeks
• Target Audience: Researchers, PhD students, and technical staff involved in WP3 and other NGS-related tasks within the NGS-4-ECOPROD project

Content Overview

Participants were guided through:

• Raw read inspection and quality control (e.g., with FastQC)
• Trimming and filtering steps (e.g., using Trimmomatic or Cutadapt)
• Sequence alignment and assembly basics
• Introduction to fungal-specific reference databases
• Validation metrics and reporting practices

The workshop combined theoretical lectures, live demonstrations, and practical exercises, allowing attendees to follow along with their own data or test datasets.

Impact and Feedback

This workshop significantly contributed to capacity building within the consortium, enabling teams to better handle fungal datasets relevant to sustainable agricultural systems. Participants appreciated the balance between theory and practical implementation, and follow-up sessions are being considered based on the feedback received.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.