Euro-BioImaging joins FHERITALE stakeholder workshop on micro- and nanoplastics research in Brussels

Representatives from European research infrastructures, policymaking bodies, industry, and the scientific community gathered in Brussels on May 26, 2026, for the FHERITALE Stakeholder Meeting hosted by Sciensano. The workshop focused on strengthening cross-sector collaboration and strategic coordination in European research addressing the impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the environment, food systems, and human health.

Euro-BioImaging participated in the event as part of the wider research infrastructure dialogue on advancing analytical capabilities, scientific collaboration, and policy support in this rapidly evolving field.

Building cross-RI collaboration for MNP research

The FHERITALE project brings together European Research Infrastructures and scientific partners working across environmental science, food safety, health, and advanced analytical technologies to address the growing challenges posed by micro- and nanoplastics. The initiative aims to strengthen interoperability, service integration, and collaborative research approaches across disciplines and infrastructures.

The Brussels stakeholder workshop highlighted the importance of coordinated European action and brought together representatives from several research infrastructures, including Euro-BioImaging, Instruct, AnaEE, MIRRI, EIRENE, and METROFOOD, alongside experts from the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), industry, funding organisations, and academia.

The highly interactive meeting format encouraged active dialogue between participants from different sectors and backgrounds, creating space for discussions that connected scientific, technological, regulatory, and policy perspectives.

The workshop was organised by the FHERITALE consortium and hosted by Sciensano. Euro-BioImaging would like to thank the project coordinators at CIRMMP, University of Florence, for the invitation and the opportunity to contribute to the discussions.

Imaging technologies as a key tool for understanding MNPs

A central theme throughout the workshop was the importance of advanced technologies and standardised test samples for detecting, characterising, and understanding the impact of micro- and nanoplastics in complex biological and environmental systems.

Imaging technologies play a particularly important role in this area, enabling researchers to investigate the distribution, interactions, and biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics across scales — from environmental samples and food systems to tissues, cells, and subcellular structures. Through its distributed network of imaging facilities and expertise, Euro-BioImaging supports researchers working on these important challenges by providing access to a wide range of advanced imaging technologies and interdisciplinary expertise that can be applied to MNP research.

“One particularly valuable aspect of the workshop was the diversity of stakeholders involved in the discussions. Bringing together research infrastructures, policymakers, analytical scientists, funders, and food producers created a much more practice-oriented perspective on the challenges surrounding micro- and nanoplastics research. These kinds of cross-sector conversations are essential for connecting technological capabilities with real-world needs and policy priorities.”

• -- Johanna Bischof, Head of Bio-Hub Operations at Euro-BioImaging

The workshop opened with a keynote lecture by Tanja Ćirković Veličković, University of Belgrade, on the current state of micro- and nanoplastics research and the CUSP network of research projects and consortia in the area. This was followed by a highly interactive high-level round table session combining expert discussion with live audience polling.

Strategic discussions and stakeholder engagement

In the afternoon sessions, participants joined strategic roundtable discussions focused on future challenges, policy priorities, and collaborative opportunities in the MNP field. Euro-BioImaging was represented in the expert panel discussions by Johanna Bischof, Head of Bio-Hub Operations, contributing perspectives on research infrastructure services, interdisciplinary collaboration, training for RI staff, and imaging technologies in MNP research.

“One particularly valuable aspect of the workshop was the diversity of stakeholders involved in the discussions,” said Johanna Bischof, Head of Bio-Hub Operations at Euro-BioImaging. “Bringing together research infrastructures, policymakers, analytical scientists, funders, and food producers created a much more practice-oriented perspective on the challenges surrounding micro- and nanoplastics research. These kinds of cross-sector conversations are essential for connecting technological capabilities with real-world needs and policy priorities.”

The participatory workshop format encouraged stakeholders to collaboratively develop actionable recommendations and identify priority scientific and policy areas for future European coordination.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Sciensano laboratories, gaining insights into ongoing analytical and health-related investigations on emerging contaminants and environmental pollutants.

The workshop highlighted the growing importance of cross-infrastructure collaboration in addressing complex societal and environmental challenges and reinforced the value of bringing together complementary expertise from imaging, structural biology, microbiology, food science, analytical chemistry, and environmental health communities.