Applicants should address:

• Scientific and technological challenges cutting across marine microbiome fields such as:
  • developing new methods to analyse and model microbiome communities and take full advantage of post-genomic technologies and bioinformatic analysis pipelines;
  • developing standards and common methodologies that are coherent across marine microbiome exploration, monitoring and engineering, and can adapt to the capacity of the different sectors (science, industry, people and society);
  • optimising the use of (pre-existing) databases and research infrastructures by ensuring interoperability and enhanced networking.
• Bioprospecting to discover biological compounds or functions that are obtained only through complex interactions involving whole microbiome communities; targeted cultivation strategies beyond lab grown monocultures; manipulate and bioengineer microbiome products that ensure the sustainable use of marine bioresources; ensure open access and benefit sharing in balance with agreements and negotiations to protect intellectual property.

Collaboration between private industry and academia, and the link with end users and society are both essential. In addition, the professional skills and competences on marine microbiomes of those working and being trained to work within the blue bioeconomy should be improved.

Proposals should assess the risks and ethics related to microbiome science & technology and guarantee the preservation of biodiversity and the compliance with EU regulations on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation (ABS) in the EU. Projects should seek synergies and capitalise on the results of past or ongoing research.