A major challenge faced by modern agriculture is abiotic stress caused by unfavourable environmental conditions. Global warming is expected to further intensify these problems, including frequency and severity of drought stress, which seriously affect both crop quality and yield. Therefore, timely action is needed to find solutions to mitigate the consequences of water deprivation. A small number of species called resurrection plants, which can tolerate desiccation of their vegetative organs, are a natural resource that can be tapped to solve this problem. They can withstand transition to air-dried state and completely restore physiological activities upon rehydration. In this project, we will study the genomes of several resurrection species and compare them with the genomes of desiccation-sensitive plants to identify molecular mechanisms that are involved in drought tolerance. In addition to the publicly available data of resurrection plants with already sequenced genomes, we will sequence and analyze two more- Haberlea rhodopensis and Xerophyta humilis. Comparative transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics of resurrection, model, and crop plants subjected to drought will bring further insights about the nature of drought stress tolerance. The research team involves European specialists in resurrection species, drought signaling, plant systems biology and bioinformatics, a partner from Israel experienced in lipidomics, and the leading African university with expertise in resurrection plants and bioinformatics. Next to that, an industrial partner will ensure that the knowledge gained by studying the resurrection and model species is transferred to crops. Moreover, the company will contribute with novel biostimulant based treatment technologies to mitigate stress and achieve optimal yield and net profit. An extensive mobility program will provide staff exchange to maximize research outputs and increase the human capacity of the partners.

Despite the adoption of several reform programs Bulgaria still has the lowest research and innovation index of all EU Member states. Key reasons for Bulgaria’s comparatively poor record of innovation are the insufficient investment in R&D, fluctuating labour force, the almost non-existent linkages between research and the needs of the productive sector and a lack of high-tech science and business parks. With the newly released Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) Bulgaria has an unparalleled opportunity to transform itself into a knowledge-based and R&D-led economy and to turn its research system into an engine of innovation and smart specialization. Plant systems biology, biotechnology, and healthy life have been set in the S3 as top priorities and represent research topics, which are highly addressed in Plovdiv, the biggest academic center in Southern Bulgaria and the most important agricultural region within the country. Most local research units are very productive and competitive at international level harbouring a huge academic and business potential. The goal of the project is to establish a Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) in Plovdiv, which will stand at the forefront of plant sciences in Bulgaria. Building on the excellence in plant sciences and biotechnology research of Potsdam, Germany, the CPSBB will implement cutting-edge genetics, functional genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics technologies to unravel the plant biochemical machinery and translate the scientific knowledge into the food market and industrial applications for development of value-added products with potential markets in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetics. The CPSBB will provide the missing links between academia and industry in the region and will take a leading role in educating next-generation researchers in the fields of plant systems biology and biotechnology. Thus, the CPSBB will fill the scientific and technological gaps identified in the S3 of Bulgaria.

In 2006, Sofia University (K-TRIO coordinator) as EURAXESS bridgehead organisation involved the newly established Bulgarian network in the first Researchers Night. Since then, it organised 14 European Researchers Nights, and attracted several new partners from education, research and industry. The overall K-TRIO objective coincides with the goal of the MSCA & Citizens action: "to bring research and researchers closer to the public at large, to increase the awareness of research and innovation activities and to boost public recognition of science and research education", and “to show the role of researchers for science and economy, as well as the impact of researchers’ work on citizens’ daily lives”. The strategic long-term objectives are: fostering the interest of young talents to STEAM and research career, nurturing a new culture of creativity, scientific curiosity, innovative spirit and responsibility to environmental preservation, as well as enhancing the public readiness to engage in Citizens Science, Open Science and Open Innovation activities. The Consortium will pay due attention in all pre-events and 2022-23 ERNs on the importance of the ERA and EEA, and their synergy, for the European recovery, dual transformation and knowledge-based growth. The project will create greater understanding on EU policy, and how R&I contribute for well-being of people and sustainable development, and highlight the common European efforts for bridging global challenges, building Green Economy and Digital Single market, Smart Cities and Smart Factories, and take full advantage of Clean Technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, BIG Data and Cloud computing. The R&I role in resolving present COVID crises will be also highlighted. The already established networking with teachers, schools and STEM centres will become well-structured, and will integrate many researchers in mentoring of students or events in secondary schools and partners universities.

PlantaSYST aims at establishing a new Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The CPSBB registered as an autonomous legal research entity during TEAMING Phase 1 and is firmly supported by the Bulgarian and German PlantaSYST partners, the Governments of Bulgaria and Germany, and the Plovdiv Municipality. CPSBB´s mission is to position itself at the forefront of plant sciences in Bulgaria and South-East Europe. This will be achieved by building on the research and technological excellence of two strong partners from Potsdam, Germany: the University of Potsdam and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology. Cutting-edge functional genomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics will be adopted to unravel the regulatory codes and metabolic pathways that govern plant development, stress physiology, and the production of valuable metabolites with potential market applications. Fundamental science, conducted in the CPSBB departments Plant Development, Molecular Stress Physiology, Metabolomics, and Bioinformatics, will feed into applied research of the departments Vegetable Breeding, Synthetic Biology, and Plant Cell Biotechnology. CPSBB provides the missing links between academia and industry in the region and will take a leading role in training next-generation researchers in crop systems biology and biotechnology. Thus, the CPSBB will fill the scientific and technological gaps identified in Bulgaria’s Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation. The service-oriented CPSBB administration is designed to function efficiently following the example of the Max Planck Society in Germany, and a Technology Transfer Office will facilitate the flow of knowledge and technologies to partners and end-users. Overall, the newly established CPSBB will significantly increase Bulgaria’s research and innovation potential, enhance the capacity in crop genomics, and stimulate the local scientific, economic, and social development in Plovdiv.

The aim of BELIS is (i) to increase the competitiveness of the EU and Associated Countries legume breeding industry by improving the methodologies and the governance structures of the breeding sector; (ii) to design conditions that allow an efficient delivery of the achieved genetic progress to the breeders and seed industry, and to the other actors (registration offices, extension services, feed and food industry, farmers). The project will focus on seven forage crops and seven grain crop that are currently grown to produce feed (for ruminants – cattle, sheep, goat and monogastric animals – pig, poultry), food (as is or after processing) or to deliver ecosystem services. BELIS has three main objectives: (1) To develop tools and methodologies for cost-effective breeding programmes and deliver proofs of concept, with and for breeders, (2) To facilitate the economic and regulatory environment: variety registration, variety recommendation and business models, (3) To implement an efficient, ambitious and durable transfer of innovation through the BELIS platform that includes a network of breeders and actors from scientific research, extension services and seed, food and feed industries, as well as a training portfolio. By enabling the creation of improved varieties in many species, adapted to different areas and uses in Europe, this project is relevant for the destinations towards “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services”, mainly contributing to “Access to a wider range of crops and breeds with a broadened genetic base is improved in line with global biodiversity commitments”. It also supports the “Practices in agriculture and forestry support biodiversity and the provision of other ecosystems services”. In addition, BELIS will have a positive input on natural biodiversity, reduction of air and water pollutions and farming system sustainability.