On 22nd of June ENEA welcomed a delegation from Kookmin University (Seoul, Republic of Korea) to the Casaccia Research Centre for a scientific exchange dedicated to sustainable biotechnology, microbial biodiversity, and innovative bio-based solutions.

The visit was organised and coordinated by Annamaria Bevivino, Research Director at ENEA's Sustainable Agri-Food Systems Division, who served as the scientific contact for the Korean delegation led by Youngkwang Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in Synthetic Biology and Precision Fermentation at Kookmin University. The initiative, carried out within an international training programme promoted by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, provided an opportunity to strengthen scientific cooperation and promote exchanges with leading European research institutions active in environmental sustainability and biotechnology.

The programme opened with welcome addresses by Massimo Iannetta, Head of ENEA's Sustainable Agri-Food Systems Division, who introduced the Division's research activities and strategic priorities, and Annamaria Bevivino, scientific curator of the ENEA Microbial Culture Collection and ENEA representative in the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI), who presented ENEA's expertise in microbial biodiversity, biological resource management, and sustainable biotechnology. Claudia Zoani, Coordinator of the METROFOOD-ERIC Research Infrastructure and Principal Investigator of the ENEA PROVIDE project, illustrated the role of European research infrastructures in supporting innovation, open science, and international scientific collaboration. Youngkwang Lee then presented Kookmin University's research activities, highlighting ongoing work in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and precision fermentation.

The scientific discussions focused on ENEA's multidisciplinary research in microbial biodiversity, sustainable food systems, and biotechnology for the circular bioeconomy. Researchers exchanged views on microbial culture collections, metabolic engineering, precision fermentation, bioreactor optimisation, and the development of sustainable protein sources through innovative biotechnological approaches. Particular attention was devoted to ENEA's contribution to European research projects supporting the transition towards sustainable food production systems.

The Korean delegation also visited several of ENEA's research facilities, including the laboratories of the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure (MIRRI), the METROFOOD Research Infrastructure, and the Regenerative Circular Bioeconomy Laboratory, gaining first-hand insight into ENEA's advanced scientific infrastructures and technological capabilities.

The meeting represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen scientific dialogue and identify future areas of cooperation between ENEA and Kookmin University. By promoting the exchange of expertise and best practices, the initiative contributes to addressing global challenges related to sustainable food production, environmental protection, and biotechnology innovation through international research collaboration.