FermenTwin Project Launch: A Fusion of Microbiology, Technology, and Taste

Published: Jan 25, 2024 by FME Lab

Today marked the exciting kickoff of the FermenTwin project, funded by INRAE DIGIT-BIO metaprogram and coordinated by Guillaume Gautreau, an innovative venture set to develop a food microbiota digital twins of fermented vegetable juices.

The meeting was a vibrant exchange of ideas, bringing together a diverse group of experts and enthusiasts. Post-discussion, the attendees had the opportunity to indulge in an array of fermented juices, including carrot, beetroot, and cabbage, offering a firsthand taste of what the FermenTwin project aims to enhance.

The highlight of the day was the tour of the mini-biofermenters, developped by Cyprien Guerin and Pierre Nicolas, a peek into the advanced technology that lies at the heart of the project. These mini-biofermenters are a crucial element in the FermenTwin initiative, providing a controlled environment for studying and optimizing the fermentation process.

HoloGen symposium on microbial meta-community modeling

On October 21, 2026, Julien Tap participated as an invited speaker in the Microbial Meta-Community Modeling symposium, organized by Karoline Faust at the Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Belgium, as part of the HoloGen doctoral network retreat.

Fermented foods at the Fête de la science Paris-Saclay 2026

On October 3–4, 2026, Stéphane Chaillou and Alice Lima took part in the Village des sciences at ENS Paris-Saclay for the Fête de la science, France’s annual science festival. This year’s theme, “Saveurs savantes”, invited visitors to explore the science behind food and flavour.

From “synthetic” to defined microbial communities for clearer terminology

Stéphane Chaillou participated in a joint reflection with a group of international researchers, coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), on the terminology used to describe certain microbial communities. The collective of experts proposes replacing the term “synthetic community” (or SynCom), sometimes perceived negatively, with “Defined Microbial Community”.