MIKROBIOLOGICKY USTAV AV CR V.V.I

Their core work

The Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a leading research institute specializing in microbiology, algal biotechnology, mass spectrometry, and natural product chemistry. They study microorganisms — from soil microbes and fungi to microalgae — and translate that knowledge into applications like biopesticides, functional foods, sustainable biorefinery processes, and environmental monitoring. Their analytical capabilities in proteomics and high-resolution mass spectrometry make them a go-to partner for projects requiring deep molecular characterization of biological systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), the institute focused on health-related microbiology (tuberculosis immunity, pertussis vaccines), analytical infrastructure (mass spectrometry networks), and initial algae biorefinery work. From 2020 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward applied microbiology — microalgae valorisation for food, feed, and bio-based products, soil microbial ecology under climate change, and fungal natural product discovery. The health portfolio faded while environmental and food-system applications became dominant.

They are moving from fundamental microbiology and analytical services toward applied environmental and food-system microbiology, making them an increasingly relevant partner for bioeconomy and climate-adaptation projects.

How they like to work

Overwhelmingly a consortium partner (12 of 14 projects) rather than a coordinator, which reflects their role as a specialist contributor bringing deep microbiology and analytical expertise to larger teams. With 168 unique partners across 32 countries, they are well-networked and comfortable in large, international consortia. Their two coordinator roles are on smaller MSCA-scale projects, suggesting they prefer to lead focused research rather than manage large collaborative programmes.

An exceptionally wide network of 168 unique consortium partners spanning 32 countries, indicating deep integration into the European research ecosystem. Their partnerships are distributed broadly rather than concentrated in any single region, reflecting the institute's versatility across multiple research domains.

What sets them apart

What sets this institute apart is the combination of world-class analytical infrastructure (FT-ICR mass spectrometry, proteomics platforms) with deep expertise in microbial biology across multiple application domains — algae, soil, fungi. Few organizations can both discover microbial metabolites AND characterize them at the molecular level in-house. For consortium builders, they offer a rare package: Czech Academy credibility, broad topical range from photosynthesis to soil carbon, and proven reliability across 14 H2020 projects with diverse partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PhotoRedesign
  Their largest project by far (EUR 2.5M) — an ERC Synergy Grant on redesigning photosynthetic light reactions, signalling top-tier fundamental research capability.
• MULTI-STR3AM
  A flagship Innovation Action (EUR 698K to them) integrating multi-strain microalgae biorefinery with industrial partners — their strongest industry-facing project.
• MicroWar
  One of only two projects they coordinate, focused on soil microbial response to climate warming from local to global scale — shows independent research leadership.