Int'l Centre for Genetic Eng. and Biotechnology 7d ago

Vittorio Venturi, African Genome Center, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Ben Guerir, MOROCCO, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, ITALY Speaks on "From Bacterial Communication to Microbiome Engineering: Fundamental Discoveries and Sustainable Applications in Africa". Brief Abstract Bacterial communication is a key driver of microbial interactions, yet much remains unknown about how signaling processes shape microbiome assembly and function. This seminar will present recent advances in the study of bacterial cell–cell signaling, including pioneering work on LuxR solo regulators, which has expanded current concepts of quorum sensing and revealed new mechanisms of microbial and plant–microbe communication. The seminar will also explore how these fundamental discoveries are being translated into microbiome-based solutions for sustainable agriculture. Examples will include the use of synthetic microbial communities, root microbiome transplantation, and beneficial bacteria to enhance crop productivity and resilience to drought and salinity. Finally, the presentation will highlight ongoing efforts to develop microbial technologies in Africa, including bioinoculants and starter cultures for traditional fermented foods, and discuss how the growing partnership between ICGEB and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is creating new opportunities for scientific collaboration, capacity building and innovation.