Home Institution, country: University of La Rioja (UDLR), Spain

Host Institution: National University of Cuyo (UNCUYO), Facultad de Ciencias Aplicadas a la Industria,Argentina

Scientific contact person at the institution: Vilma Morata, Professor of Food Biochemistry,Laboratory of Biotechnology, Department of Biology & Food.

Mobility period: From 11/08/2021, to 01/10/2021

Objectives:

Regarding WP3, wine production is facing several challenges due to the global climate change. The exploitation of the natural microbiota is one of the strategies for a sustainable production and wine quality. The main objective of this secondment is to choose appropriate natural microbiota indigenous of Argentinean vines, grapes or wines for winemaking.

• Task 1. To identify and analyse the natural microbiota of Argentinean vines and wines, and to implement innovative technologies for the analyses.
• Task 2. To select natural microbial strains to maintain the microbial control of wines, during winemaking and storage. In relation to dissemination (WP5) and transfer of knowledge and career (WP6) a major objective of the vWISE project is to disseminate know-how and knowledge, and this is an objective of this secondment as well.
• Task 3: Provide support to early-stage researchers in the host institution and to design in collaboration with their supervisors, experiments and activities that they will be able to develop during their secondments in the laboratories of UDLR in Spain. This task will contribute to their professional advancement.
• Task 4: Networking and consolidating the collaborative links between both institutions, through participation in Seminars and workshops at the host institution.

Deliverables (expected):

Transfer of knowledge report.

Report on the most relevant microbial strains selected from indigenous Argentinean microbiota for further in-depth studies.