Universit� degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

The SoilMATs International School comes to Modena

The SoilMATs – Soil Meiofauna Advanced Taxonomy school project, launched by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia under the European Horizon Europe programme TETTRIs – Transforming European Taxonomy through Training, Research and Innovations, is continuing with the aim of training a new generation of specialists in the identification of soil-dwelling animals.

The initiative seeks to address the shortage of expertise in the taxonomy of animal groups that are little studied but essential for soil ecology – such as nematodes, rotifers and tardigrades – through a combination of theoretical teaching, hands-on activities and laboratory work at three European research centres: the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), the Senckenberg Museum (Germany) and the Biologické Centrum (Czech Republic).

The Modena training week, scheduled for 24–29 August 2025, will be the final module of the SoilMATs programme. After completing the online theoretical sessions, 20 selected early-career researchers from across Europe took part in practical modules on rotifers at the Biologické Centrum (Czech Republic) and on nematodes at the Senckenberg Museum (Germany). In Modena, they will conclude their training with a focus on tardigrade taxonomy, applying both morphological and molecular techniques to identify the so-called water bears – tiny creatures famed for their extraordinary resilience in extreme environments – and to explore their role in soil ecosystems.

Activities will take place in the laboratories of the Evolutionary Zoology Research Group – EvoZooLab in Unimore’s Department of Life Sciences, internationally recognised for its long-standing expertise in tardigrade biodiversity and evolutionary biology, as well as in the field at the Esperia Garden in Sestola.

The course will be delivered by the laboratory team, led by Professor Roberto Guidetti, Principal Investigator of the SoilMATs project, together with Dr Edoardo Massa and Dr Daniele Camarda, local trainers for the TETTRIs project, who were themselves trained during the intensive workshop held in Modena in February 2025.

“SoilMATs is a project that brings together advanced training, international collaboration and a focus on the hidden biodiversity beneath our feet,” said Professor Guidetti. “Hosting this module in Modena, in our own laboratory, is a unique opportunity to share technical expertise and inspire a passion for these remarkable organisms among young researchers.”

Further details are available on the EvoZooLab website: http://www.evozoo.unimore.it/site/home/soilmats.html or on the European TETTRIs project website: https://tettris.eu/3rd-party-projects/soilmats/.

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng