On 8 May 2026, the TOLERATE consortium gathered in Alexandroupolis, Greece, for its General Assembly meeting hosted by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace.
The meeting brought together project partners from across Europe to review scientific and technical progress, exchange knowledge across work packages, and coordinate the next phase of activities within the project. Throughout the day, consortium members presented updates on ongoing research and discussed how the different areas of the project continue to contribute to the development of sustainable biotechnological solutions for drought resilience.
Key discussions focused on the identification of drought stress-adaptive genes through environmental aDNA analysis, as well as the expression and application of functional genes at laboratory scale. Partners also shared progress on bio-augmentation strategies for improving drought tolerance and examined advances in scaling up the production of bio-based molecules in engineered bacteria.
In addition to the scientific and technological developments, the consortium reviewed work related to regulatory analysis, lifecycle assessment, and socio-economic evaluation, highlighting the project’s multidisciplinary approach and commitment to responsible innovation.
The meeting also included sessions dedicated to communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities, with partners discussing ways to increase stakeholder engagement and maximise the visibility and long-term impact of the project’s results.
The General Assembly coincided with the TOLERATE Summer School Technical Workshop held in Alexandroupolis on 6–7 May 2026. Organised within the framework of the project, the event brought together researchers, early-career scientists, and industry experts for lectures, hands-on training modules, and discussions on microbial biotechnology, genomics, environmental sustainability, and climate-resilient bio-based innovation. The workshop further strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange across the TOLERATE community ahead of the consortium meeting.
The General Assembly provided an important opportunity for collaboration, strategic planning, and knowledge exchange among partners, reinforcing the strong cooperation that continues to drive the TOLERATE project forward.
