The University of Malta through the Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition (Faculty of Health Sciences) got awarded two new Innovative Training Networks (ITN-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions): i) TRANSIT. Training Network of Sustainable Technologies coordinated by Wageningen University (The Netherlands) (2021-2024) , ii) E-MUSE. Complex microbial ecosystems multiscale modelling: mechanistic and data driven approaches integration coordinated by INRAe (France) (2021-2024).
ITN-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are the most competitive and prestigious European Commission calls (less than 10% success rate).
TRANSIT's objective is to optimise and drive utility of four non-thermal technologies, i.e., Pulsed Electric Field, Ultrasound, Non-Thermal Plasma and High Hydrostatic Pressure. Using a functional genomics approach, TRANSIT will identify molecular targets in five model microbial species that represent major food-associated pathogens and spoilage organisms, allowing for the design of effective antimicrobial strategies for the non-thermal technologies.
E-MUSE will train researchers in mathematics, bioinformatics and/or biology to design and use innovative multiscale modelling methodologies with the ultimate outcome of an interactive dynamic modelling software giving researchers a shared language to address future research questions about complex biological systems.
For TRANSIT Prof. Valdramidis (Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition) is the principal investigator and Prof. Ruben Gatt (Faculty of Science, Metamaterials Unit) and Dr Sholeem Griffin (Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition), are the co-principal investigators.
For E-MUSE Prof. Valdramidis is the principal investigator, assisted by Prof. Ruben Gatt co-principal investigator.
As part of the activities of these projects, new Research Support Officers/PhD researchers will be joining the group of Prof. Valdramidis and Prof. Ruben Gatt.
The department of Food Sciences and Nutrition is a partner in three ITN projects. PROTECT ITN-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions that started last year has Ms Styliani Roufou as the assigned Research Support Officer.