Training School on Soil Microbial Interactions – Advancing Knowledge on the Soil Microbiome

The Training School on Soil Microbial Interactions took place from 20 to 24 October 2025, bringing together trainees from the ISOPlexis Centre, partner organizations, and students from the University of Madeira. The event was jointly organized by IRNAS-CSIC and the University of Parma (UNIPR), with the participation of expert trainers José M. Colmenero Flores and Nieves Capote (IRNAS-CSIC), together with Giovanna Visioli and Gianluigi Giannelli (UNIPR).

Over five days, participants explored the state of the art in soil microbiome research, with a particular focus on the dynamics of microbial communities and their interactions with plants and the environment. The program combined theoretical lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions.

The training covered six main thematic areas, including Soil Physics, Soil Microbiology and Microbial Interactions, Experimental Approaches to the Study of Microbial Communities, the “Omics” Era Applied to Microbiome Research, Advances and Cutting-edge Technologies, and the transition from Fundamental to Applied Research.

Complementing the theoretical sessions, trainees also participated in a field trip, which provided the opportunity to observe soil–plant–microbe interactions in real environments and connect them with the theoretical concepts discussed during the course.

This training school, organized under a task of Work Package 2 – Training Schools and International Workshops, successfully promoted knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building among young researchers and professionals.

The success of this training marked a significant step forward in fostering interdisciplinary cooperation and institutional collaboration, while strengthening expertise and skills in sustainable agriculture and smart technologies — fundamental and strategic areas addressed by the isUP-AgrO project.