The Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, successfully hosted the TOLERATE Summer School and Technical Workshop entitled:

“Innovating Biotechnology for a Sustainable and Resilient Future”

held in Alexandroupolis, Greece, on 6–8 May 2026, in the framework of the Horizon Europe project TOLERATE.

The event brought together researchers, students, academic institutions, and industrial partners from across Europe for an intensive programme of interdisciplinary training, scientific exchange, and collaboration focused on microbial biotechnology and innovation, genomic tools, sustainability assessment approaches, and the EU regulatory framework for microorganisms in sustainable agri‑food systems, with relevance to climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

The Summer School featured lectures and hands-on training sessions covering topics including microbial biotechnology, genomics, bioinformatics, environmental microbiology, and translational research approaches. Participants also engaged in computational and laboratory hands-on modules, as well as student lightning presentations, fostering active interaction and knowledge exchange among early-career researchers and experienced scientists. In parallel, a Technical Workshop in collaboration with the industrial partners of the consortium, highlighted the importance of connecting cutting-edge research with innovation and real-world biotechnological applications with a focus on R&D priorities, implementation challenges, and contributions to a resilient and sustainable Europe. The two-day program was designed to engage participants and support the skills development of the next generation of scientists and professionals.

The event formed part of the broader objectives of the TOLERATE project, which aims to explore ancient microbial adaptations to environmental stress and harness their potential for innovative bio-based applications.

The organizers would like to warmly thank all speakers, participants, students, collaborators, and partner institutions for their valuable contributions and active participation, which greatly contributed to the success of the event.

More information about the TOLERATE project is available at:
TOLERATE Project (https://tolerate-eu-project.com)