Contaminated site remediation with genomics: Boosting bioremediation in South America

• 20 – 28 October 2025 | Valparaíso, Chile 

• Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Casa Central, Valparaíso, Chile
• Universidad de Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile

Bioremediation, a set of technologies based on the ability of (micro)organisms to neutralize or degrade pollutants, is widely used in the Northern hemisphere but remains underutilized in South America. Chile, in particular, suffers from severe environmental contamination due to a dearth of awareness and technological resources, hindering the application of these promising technologies. This EMBO practical course "Contaminated site remediation with genomics: boosting bioremediation in South America" will train new scientists about the use of molecular techniques for bioremediation. These cutting-edge techniques enable the comprehension of microbial metabolisms, the design of effective bioremediation strategies and their monitoring. 

The course, hosted by Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María and Universidad de Playa Ancha (both located in Valparaiso), offers complementary expertise in bioremediation, including the development of biomarkers for contaminated site assessment and biodegradation process monitoring, as well as the isolation and genomic characterization of microorganisms involved in biodegradation. Participants will take part in both field and laboratory activities and will process molecular data in the bioinformatic sessions. This course is designed for graduated students and professionals in Environmental Biotechnology and related fields, offering an opportunity to learn innovative techniques, to expand knowledge, and to enhance skills in bioremediation. A virtual roundtable with stakeholders will foster crucial interactions among the scientific community, public authorities, companies, and Chilean citizens, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges. This roundtable will create a unique moment of interaction of different parties and will allow the participants to understand the actuality of this topic.

About EMBO Courses and Workshops

EMBO Courses and Workshops are selected for their excellent scientific quality and timelines, provision of good networking activities for all participants and speaker gender diversity (at least 40% of speakers must be from the underrepresented gender).
Organisers are encouraged to implement measures to make the meeting environmentally more sustainable.