Summary

The Challenge

Sustainable management of agricultural threats, such as plant-pathogenic bacteria, is crucial for food security in the context of environmental challenges. Despite its tremendous potential, bacteriophage biocontrol is still in its infancy and many challenges – not only technical, but also at the regulatory and societal level – need to be overcome before it can be used effectively in the agri-food sector.

The Solution

Inspired by the One Health concept, the Phage4Crops project proposes to build an unprecedented, multi- stakeholder network in the field of bacteriophage biocontrol in the agri-food sector. To overcome the current lack of collaboration and communication between researchers and implementors, which is wasting synergies and momentum, we will bring together previously dispersed activities, resources and manpower, including experts in the fields of bacteriophage biology, bacterial genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics, agronomy, epidemiology, microbial ecology, plant pathology and physiology, biotechnology and social sciences.

The Implementation

This project addresses fundamental questions on different pathosystems of European interest in a global context, from the discovery and exploration up to the applicability of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents. We will establish protocols to guide the selection and deployment of bacteriophage-based solutions; isolate, characterise and make accessible novel bacteriophages; educate and train next generation of experts; create bridges between researchers, society and industry to integrate bacteriophage-based biocontrol into appropriate ecological and legislative framework. The Phage4Crops action will tightly link fundamental and applied bacteriophage research, building the critical mass to drive scientific progress, thereby strengthening the European Research Area and paving the way for bacteriophage applications.