“MiCCrobioTAckle” project launched with first training session
Twelve doctoral researchers from across Europe came together at Leibniz-HKI to learn about fundamentals of programming for research
| by Friederike Gawlik
As part of the recently founded European research network “MiCCrobioTAckle”, the first on-site training for doctoral researchers took place at the Leibniz-HKI in Jena on May 29 and 30, 2025. The event marked an important milestone in the three-year program led by Prof. Gianni Panagiotou, who heads the Microbiome Dynamics department at the institute. MiCCrobioTAckle brings together an international group of PhD students with leading researchers in the fields of microbiota, cancer cachexia and translational medicine.
At the Leibniz-HKI, the twelve young scientists have now received practical instruction in the fundamentals of programming for research. The course introduced the group to the R programming language, one of the most commonly used programming languages for biological data analysis. The training is part of a comprehensive program aimed at equipping the next generation of scientists with a solid foundation in computational and quantitative microbiome research.
The training followed a kick-off meeting the day before in Berlin, where the young researchers met their Principal Investigators (PIs), discussed individual research projects and explored opportunities for collaboration in the network’s work packages. The meeting also included a Design Thinking workshop that encouraged tackling scientific challenges using a human-centered, interdisciplinary focus. The workshop also provided an excellent opportunity for the group to get to know each other better.
In the MiCCrobioTAckle project, the young talents will benefit from a diverse training program that includes experimental microbiota medicine as well as science communication and scientific integrity. Additional modules offer insights into career paths beyond academia, including intellectual property and entrepreneurship. These prepare researchers for their future responsibilities in academia and industry.
The next training courses will be organized by partner institutions in the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland and will offer further international experience and interdisciplinarity.
MiCCrobioTAckle is funded by the EU and aims to uncover the role of the gut microbiome in tumor cachexia – a condition that breaks down muscle and is common in cancer patients. By combining expertise from the fields of microbiology, computational biology and clinical science, the consortium aims to improve our understanding of this complex syndrome and pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.
You can find more information about MiCCrobioTAckle at:
Staff
