In May-June 2026, the team of the UPGRADE project – “Genomic surveillance of urban pathogens for environmental protection and public health: a One Health approach” – carried out a research visit at “Ștefan cel Mare” University of Suceava, the Romanian partner of the project, led by Prof. Dr. Roxana Filip, Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences.
The visit was part of the activities planned for 2026, which focus on the collection of environmental samples and related metadata, the optimization of laboratory protocols, the development of the bioinformatics workflow, and the configuration of the UP-GEN platform, designed for the processing and visualization of metagenomic data.
During the research stay, the team members took part in field and laboratory activities and discussed with USV partners key aspects related to sample collection, metadata standardization, and their integration into bioinformatics analysis workflows. Particular attention was given to the development of a modular framework for analyzing data obtained through Oxford Nanopore sequencing, with applications in detecting pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in urban environments.
The UPGRADE team consists of Dr. Inna Rastimeșina (IMB/UTM), project coordinator, Dr. Dumitru Ciorbă, Dr. Viorel Munteanu, and PhD student Eugeniu Catlabuga. Although the project is coordinated through the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, the contribution of members from the FCIM Bioinformatics Laboratory highlights the growing synergy between UTM research institutes and faculties.
This collaboration reflects the strategic direction promoted at the Technical University of Moldova under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr. Habil. Viorel Bostan, through which bioinformatics is being strengthened as an emerging and priority field for interdisciplinary research. The UPGRADE project confirms the potential of this direction by connecting expertise in microbiology, genomics, computer science, computing infrastructures, and public health.
The UPGRADE project is part of the “Complex Bilateral Projects with the Republic of Moldova” programme (PCB_ROMD2024), Domain 4 – Health, under PNIV – Programme 5.8 European and International Cooperation, Subprogramme 5.8.3 Bilateral/Multilateral. The project is supported through funding from Romania, under PNCDI IV, and from the Republic of Moldova, through the National Agency for Research and Development (ANCD).
The research visit to Suceava contributes to strengthening the RO-MD scientific partnership and to developing a modern infrastructure for urban genomic surveillance in the context of environmental protection and public health.
