Work Packages

WP1 – Project management and dissemination plan (WP Leader: ELGO-ITAP; Duration M1-M36)

Main objectives of the first WP are to manage the overall FunShield4Med activities and their coordination, and to deliver timely the scheduled deliverables and milestones, including oversight of technical and financial reporting requirements. Within this WP take place the design of plans for the dissemination of project’s results and for data management, while ethics and gender equality issues are considered.

Task 1.1. Data Management (M1-M36) (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

Within FunShield4Med implementation is foreseen a formal data management plan which outlines the type of data being generated during research, such as metadata, standards, and quality assurance measures; plans for sharing data; copyright and intellectual property rights of data; data storage and back-up measures; data management roles and responsibilities. Additionally, potential technical risks are identified, and mitigation measures are planned to deal with such issues.

Task 1.2. Coordination and DEC plan (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

In this task, the Project Coordinator ensures the effective running of each of the Project Management bodies and committees set by Grant Agreement, and which are essential for achieving collective responsibility and mobilizing a high level of participation in the strategic and smooth running of the project. In addition, a DEC plan is considered to follow and update during the project’s lifetime.

WP2 – Enhancing scientific knowledge on analytical and computational mycotoxicology. (WP Leader UNIPR; Duration M1-M36)

The objective of this WP is to transfer knowledge in state-of-the-art methods for the identification of mycotoxins with advanced analytical techniques. Additionally, quantitative methods within the area of computation toxicology and specific case studies are considered.

Task 2.1. Transfer of knowledge on identification of mycotoxins (Task leader: UNIPR)

Seminars on identification of several forms of mycotoxins (parent, emerging and/or modified) are organized at the premises of ELGO-ITAP by research teams from the advanced partners, aiming audiences beyond project consortium. Apart ELGO-ITAP’s researchers, the seminars could be attended by researchers from other national institutions. Attendees can also be from various fields of expertise (food science, biology, chemistry, pharmacy). Moreover, Workshops are organised for the enhancement of capabilities of ELGO-ITAP’s research personnel and young scientists (ECSs and ESRs) through interactive learning and laboratory activities.

Task 2.2. Training of researchers of the ELGO-ITAP on analytical and computational methods (Task leader: NKUA)

Researchers from the ELGO-ITAP are going to acquire competences through Short-Term Staff Exchanges (STSEs) to advanced partners for training on state-of-the-art analysis of mycotoxins (and/or modified), multi- or emerging toxins, and the use of chemometric and multivariate pattern recognition techniques on large data sets for classification, feature selection, prediction, and data curation. Additionally, training on predictive mycology principles and their application for the development of quantitative mycological and mycotoxin risk assessments will be developed.

Task 2.3. Evaluation of mycotoxins prevalence in Mediterranean food products and imports (Task leader: UNIPR)

The status of the different mycotoxins’ prevalence as evaluated by an extended literature and a scientific report review is going to pinpoint mycotoxins and food products of interest. In continuance, the presence of parent, emerging, and/or modified mycotoxins, in key food products will be evaluated by applying selected analytical methods for their single- and/or multi-detection. More specifically, traditional Mediterranean food products such as wine, nuts, and fruits, with high import and export dynamics in region trade will be analysed to determine the current mycotoxin status with the collaboration of the laboratories of the project participating parties. The developed datasets, apart their exploitation through QMEA of current project, will also be communicated to relevant authorities.

Task 2.4. Advisory activities in the establishment of harmonised methods of detection to EU regulations (Task leader: UNIPR)

All 5 participating Institutes are involved in a validation exercise for delivering 2 EU official methods in analysing mycotoxins of interest according to surveys from Task 2.3. ELGO-ITAP Physicochemical laboratory accredited already for ISO/IEC17025:2005 is running the official EN protocols for determination of OTA and PAT in wine and juices, respectively. In accordance with findings from Task 2.3, different mycotoxins determination protocols in products of interest will be delivered by all advanced partners and adopted by ELGO-ITAP in its delivered services.

WP3 - Enhancing scientific knowledge on fungal molecular ecology and ecophysiology (WP leader: UdL; Duration M1-M36)

The objective of this WP is to transfer knowledge in ecophysiology and molecular ecology and the impact that climate change brings on food security related to mycotoxins. Advanced bioinformatics tools will be used to analyse big data related to these aspects.

Task 3.1. Transfer of knowledge on strategic foresight scenarios (Task leader: CU)

Two workshops are organized by research teams of advanced partners analysing the impact of Climate Change scenarios on food security related to mycotoxins. Also, two Seminars are going to be held at ELGO-ITAP relating spoilage fungi and molecular ecophysiology, as well as mycotoxins prevalence foresight tools. Principles of computational toxicology of WP2 are going to be used to assess and explicitly elucidate the impact of CC on mycotoxin proliferation.

Task 3.2. Training of researchers of the ELGO-ITAP on molecular ecology and ecophysiology (Task leader: UdL)

Researchers from ELGO-ITAP through five STSEs to advanced partners will be trained on mechanisms used for ecophysiological tolerance, and the molecular basis of secondary metabolite production from mycotoxins. The principles of ecophysiology, molecular ecology, and integration and use of “big data” will be addressed by using a systems approach. The knowledge of advanced partners in bioinformatics tools, on processing impacts to mycotoxins, and in minimising its waste will be transferred to ELGO-ITAP members for the implementation of Quantitative Mycological Exposure Assessment (QMEA) models based on several languages (e.g., R, Python).

Task 3.3. Advisory activities for the establishment of the Mycotoxins Mediterranean Training Hub (MyMedHub) and computational toxicology tools (Task leader: CU)

A mycological and computational toxicology centre will be developed aiming at compiling computational tools to support integrative approaches to toxicological research and chemical safety assessments via predictive modelling, analyses of complex, and multifaceted data sets. Prerequisite for the establishment of the MyMedHub will be the successful transfer of the know-how and application of mycotoxin assessments and addressing the connection between biomathematics and bioinformatics. Researchers from UdL, CU, UNIPR, NKUA and ELGO-ITAP will develop problem-based learning activities. This will include among others a multi-criteria decision analysis that will be performed to balance microbial risks and environmental impacts, and specific management tools for combating emerging mycotoxin issues on several different Mediterranean products.

WP4 - Enhancement of mobility and scientific potential of young scientists (WP leader: NKUA; Duration M1-M36)

The objective of WP4 is to unlock scientific potential of ECRs and ESRs by facilitating their increased mobility and learning of novel skills, techniques, and knowledge. The multidisciplinarity of project consortium will facilitate expanding of their scientific work to different research avenues. ECS will take the lead in this WP, which will be particularly beneficial to the ELGO-ITAP as it will foster scientific talent within ELGO-ITAP and enhance their potential in becoming independent research leaders.

Task 4.1. The enhancement of mobility of ESRs (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

During this task ESRs have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in complementary fields of expertise during visits to partner institutions and to form a network of young scientists focused on future co-operations and projects. Activities within WP4 will include 10 short-term staff exchange (STSE) missions for ELGO-ITAP researchers to advanced partners, of which 6 are intended for young researchers, while 5 researchers from advanced partners will come to ELGO-ITAP through Sort-term expert visits (STEVs) for Summer-Schools lectures. Therefore, the project will also provide the intensified mobility of young scientists, and eventually improve international competitiveness for future projects.

Task 4.2. The enhancement of management experience of young scientists (Task leader: NKUA)

This task focus on improving the capacities of ECSs with respect to management experience by taking responsibility in organization of short-term visits, dissemination of project scientific results, organization of presentations at annual Science Festivals and Research Nights, and finally organization of an International Conference for Young Scientists in the field of Mycology, with participation of ESRs and ECSs. In addition, 12 Sort-term expert visits (STEV) are foreseen from advanced partners who will visit and train during the 2 Summer Schools for young researchers on the scientific area of spoilage and mycotoxigenic fungi, mycotoxins determination and foresight scenarios of CC impact on their prevalence and QMEA techniques. Herein, the young scientists and researcher will gain strategies and skill sets in organization and risk management useful for their future career.

WP5 - Upgrading R&I management and administration skills of ELGO-ITAP under international funding environment (WP leader: ELGO-ITAP; Duration M1-M36)

The objective of WP5 is to improve competitiveness of researchers of the ELGO-ITAP in future Horizon calls and other international calls, by transfer of relevant management experiences and skills from partner institutions. Specific objective is to obtain knowledge and information about forming successful teams and proposals for obtaining EU grants, planning budgets, constraints of financial and ethical regulations, intellectual property plans, project reporting and role of agile administration in efficient project management.

Task 5.1. Transfer of project management skills and knowledge from advanced partners of consortium to ELGO-ITAP (Task leader: NKUA)

Members of Grant Support Offices from advanced partners will perform evaluation of delegates of administration staff, research staff, and management staff with respect to their competences in project management and recommend further measures.

Task 5.2. Final evaluation of acquired capacity in research management (Task leader: UNIPR)

WP6 - Communication, dissemination, exploitation (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP; Duration M1-M36)

The objective of this WP6 is to design, implement and maintain a project website, produce project promotional material, and organise outreach activities targeting interested groups and the general public.

Task 6.1: Design, implement & maintain project website (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

Under this task all the material for publicity and promotion will be organised, designed, and produced. The promotional material (e.g., leaflet, poster, and newsletters) will be printed and distributed during relevant European scientific events. These materials will help to raise the awareness of recipients about ELGO-ITAP’s research excellence and innovation capacity. The objective is two-fold: i) initiate contact with European-leading counterparts and develop future cooperation; and ii) attract more followers to the project website.

Task 6.2: Production of promotional material (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

Task 6.3: Organisation of outreach activities (Task leader: ELGO-ITAP)

The consortium partners will organise a range of different outreach activities. ELGO-ITAP will schedule press conferences at the start and end of the project and invite regional and national news media (radio, TV, and print newspapers). Three “open days” will be organised over the course of the project – one each year – at UdL, UNIPR, NKUA, respectively. Young students and the public will be invited to visit the institutes’ laboratories and facilities to learn about their scientific and innovation activities. During the visits, scientific experiments will be demonstrated, and engaging lectures given. Also, regional, and national news media (radio, TV and print newspapers) will be invited to report on the events. UdL, CU, UNIPR, NKUA and ELGO-ITAP will appoint researchers to be “school ambassadors” who will be responsible for visiting 1-2 local schools each year to promote higher education, research, and innovation, especially in the field of mycotoxins.