Microbiome and nutrition

CIVIS focus area: Health
Open to: Master's

PhD candidates/ students
Field of studies: Medicine and Health
Type: Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP)
Course dates: 8 January - 17 July 2026
Apply by: 30 October 2025 Apply now

This Blended Intensive Programme explores the vital link between nutrition, the microbiome, and health, equipping students with interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on skills in microbiome analysis, bioinformatics, and personalized nutrition.

Through a combination of virtual learning and an immersive five-day workshop, the program fosters collaboration across academic and cultural boundaries, empowering students to address global health challenges such as chronic disease and sustainable dietary practices in line with the CIVIS Alliance’s mission for inclusive, transnational education and impactful research.

The Microbiome Matters BIP offers students a unique opportunity to engage in high-impact, interdisciplinary training at the intersection of microbiome research, clinical nutrition, and precision medicine. The programme is developed and delivered by a consortium of leading European institutions within the CIVIS Alliance, ensuring academic excellence and cross-border collaboration.

In addition to lectures and laboratory work, students will benefit from mentorship by internationally recognized researchers, intercultural exchange, and a supportive learning environment. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and have the chance to earn ECTS credits, subject to home institution approval.

The programme also fosters networking opportunities and may serve as a stepping stone for future research placements or graduate-level collaborations within the CIVIS network.

Main topics addressed

Introduction to the microbiome and programme goals

foundational concepts in gut microbiome science
orientation to programme structure and expectations

Gut microbiota and chronic diseases

microbiome's role in metabolic disorders and systemic health

Personalized nutrition strategies

diet-based modulation of the microbiome for health interventions

Bioinformatics in microbiome research

introduction to data analysis tools and computational approaches

Microbiome and mental health

microbiome alterations in eating disorders and related conditions

Microbiome and cancer

interplay between gut microbiota, cancer prevention, and nutrition

Case studies and collaborative problem-solving

obesity and metabolic health
microbiome recovery post-COVID-19

Designing dietary interventions

practical development of personalized nutrition plans

Microbiome data analysis workshops

hands-on tutorials for interpreting microbiome datasets

Scientific communication and presentation skills

structuring and delivering research presentations effectively

Team project development

group mentoring and project refinement in preparation for in-person activities

Virtual project showcase and feedback

Learning outcomes

The programme is designed to equip students with knowledge, skills, and competencies that align with key CIVIS HUB themes. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in health and disease, including its influence on metabolic, gastrointestinal, and mental health disorders.

They will also develop the ability to design personalized nutritional interventions to modulate the gut microbiome, targeting specific health conditions such as eating disorders and chronic diseases. This aligns with the Health and Wellbeing and Sustainable Development themes by promoting healthier dietary practices and sustainability.

Participants will acquire practical research skills through hands-on experience in techniques such as flow cytometry, and bioinformatics tools for microbiome data analysis. These competencies directly support the Digital and Technological Transformation theme through bioinformatics training

Dates: 8 January - 17 July 2026	Total workload: 150 hours
Format: Blended	ECTS: 5*
Location: Bucharest, Romania	Language: English (B2)
Contact: gratiela.gradisteanu@icub.unibuc.ro

^{*recognition of ECTS depends on your home university}

Physical mobility

The physical component of the BIP will be held in Bucharest over five days (13-17 July 2026), incorporating interactive, hands-on activities that align with the programme's objectives while fostering intercultural exchange. The agenda blends practical applications, expert presentations, collaborative learning, and cultural immersion for a comprehensive educational experience.

Day 1: welcome, orientation, and setting the stage

Morning:

welcome and program overview: Introduction by faculty and host representatives. Objectives and expectations for the physical component will be outlined;
icebreaker activity: "Microbiome Around the Globe" – participants share cultural perspectives on food traditions and gut health;
keynote lecture: “The Gut Microbiome and Its Global Relevance to Health and Nutrition” by an invited expert.

Afternoon:

laboratory introduction: Orientation on microbiome analysis techniques, including sequencing platforms and flow cytometry for nutritional and microbial studies;
workshop: Sample preparation for microbiome sequencing –participants, working in multicultural groups, will learn handling, preparation, and initial analysis of biological samples.

Evening:

informal intercultural networking dinner featuring traditional dishes from participants’ countries.

Day 2: Microbiome analysis in practice

Morning:

hands-on laboratory session: DNA extraction from stool samples and PCR amplification of microbiome markers;
flow cytometry demonstration: introduction to flow cytometry techniques for analyzing microbiome and nutrition interactions, with participants exploring cell sorting and identifying microbial populations relevant to dietary interventions.

Afternoon:

bioinformatics workshop: using pipelines like QIIME or R-based tools for microbiome data analysis. Participants will begin analyzing provided sample data;
intercultural discussion: "Cultural Influences on Dietary Patterns and Microbiome Health" – group discussions on traditional diets and their role in shaping microbiome diversity globally.

Day 3: Eating disorders and nutritional interventions

Morning:

expert presentation: Prof. Isabelle Mack will deliver a session on “The Role of the Microbiome in Eating Disorders,” exploring connections between gut health, mental health, and eating behaviors, with practical clinical insights;
case study discussion: participants will work in groups to analyze case studies on eating disorders, emphasizing microbiome-informed dietary solutions.

Afternoon:

practical workshop: Designing dietary interventions based on microbiome data. Participants will develop individualized nutrition plans for hypothetical patients, incorporating findings from flow cytometry and bioinformatics sessions.

Evening:

cultural exchange evening: participants showcase traditions, music, or food from their countries, fostering cross-cultural networking and appreciation.

Day 4: Microbiome, cancer, and translational applications

Morning:

seminar: “Microbiome, Cancer, and Nutrition” – exploring the interplay between dietary factors, gut microbiota, and cancer progression or prevention, presented by a leading expert;
laboratory session: Advanced analysis of microbiome-related data, focusing on biomarkers relevant to cancer and chronic diseases.

Afternoon:

role-playing workshop: simulated patient consultations where participants, acting as clinicians, researchers, or patients, discuss microbiome-based dietary recommendations for cancer prevention and other health conditions.

Day 5: Integration and reflection

Morning:

group project presentations: participants present findings from their microbiome analyses, dietary interventions, and case studies. Faculty and peers will provide feedback;
reflection session: participants discuss their learning outcomes, applications to their fields, and how cultural diversity influenced their perspectives.

Afternoon:

closing ceremony: certificates of completion will be awarded, followed by a celebratory farewell lunch to mark the week’s accomplishments.

Virtual part

The online part of the course will run weekly, between 8 January - 9 April 2026, with a 2 hours duration per session.

8 January: Introduction to the BIP and microbiome fundamentals Establish programme goals and introduce key microbiome concepts.
15 January: Gut microbiota and chronic diseases Explore connections between the microbiome and disease onset.
22 January: Personalized nutrition strategies Examine dietary interventions for microbiome modulation.
29 January: Bioinformatics in microbiome research Introduce data analysis tools and their application.
5 February: Microbiome and eating disorders Analyze microbiome alterations linked to mental health.
12 February: Microbiome, cancer, and nutrition Explore the microbiome’s role in cancer prevention and care.
19 February: Case study: Obesity and metabolic health Collaborative problem-solving for real-world cases.
26 February: Case study: Microbiome in post-COVID patients Address microbiome recovery after viral infections.
5 March: Team-based solutions for chronic diseases Apply interdisciplinary approaches to microbiome challenges.
12 March: Preparing for dietary intervention design Practical considerations in project development.
19 March: Interpreting microbiome datasets Hands-on bioinformatics workshop.
26 March: Designing effective research presentations Develop communication skills for scientific audiences.
2 April: Finalizing team projects Group mentoring and review for project refinement.
9 April: Virtual project showcase and Q&A Present team findings and receive feedback.

Assessment

Evaluation will emphasize the ability to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge, demonstrating how concepts from microbiome science, nutrition, and clinical practice can be synthesized and applied to address health challenges such as eating disorders or cancer.

Critical thinking and problem-solving will also be key areas of evaluation, requiring students to identify issues in case studies and propose evidence-based solutions that link diet, microbiome health, and chronic diseases. Collaboration and teamwork will be assessed through active contributions to group projects and discussions, emphasizing inclusivity and effective cooperation in multicultural environments.

Communication and presentation skills will be evaluated based on the clarity, conciseness, and engagement of individual and group presentations, with students expected to effectively explain complex concepts to diverse audiences. Participation and engagement will be measured by active involvement in workshops, discussions, and cultural exchange activities

The programme is open to students at CIVIS member universities. Applicants should be enrolled in a relevant academic program at the final-year undergraduate, master's, or early PhD level.

Suitable fields of study include biology, medicine, nutrition and dietetics, biotechnology, public health, bioinformatics, and environmental or food sciences. A basic understanding of microbiology, human physiology, or nutrition science is expected, as the programme builds on these foundational areas.

Candidates should demonstrate a clear interest in interdisciplinary approaches that combine microbiome research, data analysis, and clinical or nutritional applications. Since the programme is conducted entirely in English, applicants must also possess a good command of the English language, typically at a B2 level or higher.

Appreciated skills:

understand microbiome fundamentals and its links to health and disease; apply personalized nutrition strategies based on microbiome data; interpret and analyze microbiome datasets using bioinformatics tools;
perform laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and flow cytometry;
design and evaluate microbiome-based dietary interventions;
critically analyze case studies on eating disorders, cancer, and metabolic diseases;
solve complex health problems using interdisciplinary approaches; communicate scientific findings clearly through research presentation;
collaborate effectively in multicultural and interdisciplinary teams;
demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills in academic settings;
develop project planning and teamwork abilities;
strengthen critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning;
adapt to both virtual and hands-on learning environments.

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) - a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

NB: Visiting Students - Erasmus Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for your selected CIVIS programme, you must be a fully enrolled student at your CIVIS home university at the time you will be undertaking the programme. Applications for this course are only available for the 11 CIVIS member universities in Europe.

Partner universities:

Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen (Germany)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)
Sapienza Università di Roma (Italia)
University of Bucharest (Romania)

Professors

Dr. Gratiela Gradisteanu is an Associate Professor at the University of Bucharest and founder of the Microbiome Analysis Center, with research focused on gut microbiota, metabolic diseases, and post-COVID inflammation;
Prof. Isabelle Mack, from Tuebingen University, is a clinical researcher specializing in diet, eating behavior, and microbiota, known for coordinating large-scale obesity intervention studies;
Prof. Daniela De Biase of Sapienza University is an expert in microbiology and bacterial stress physiology, and Chair of the EuroMicropH COST Action;
Prof. Aristides Eliopoulos (NKUA) is a molecular biologist focused on inflammation and precision nutrition, coordinating EU-funded projects and e-learning initiatives.

Send your application by filling in the online application form by 30 October 2025, and also including your:

CV
Motivation letter.

Students' applications will be evaluated based on several key criteria:

the academic background of the applicant will be assessed, with preference given to those enrolled in study programs related to microbiome science, nutrition, biology, medicine, biotechnology, or public health. Relevant coursework and academic performance will also be considered.
a strong motivation letter is essential, clearly expressing the applicant’s interest in the microbiome–nutrition–health interface, interdisciplinary research, and international collaboration, as well as how participation in the programme aligns with their academic and professional goals.
applicants should demonstrate basic knowledge in microbiology, human physiology, nutrition, or bioinformatics, and any prior experience with laboratory or data analysis techniques will be viewed as an advantage.
since the programme is conducted in English, proficiency at a minimum B2 level is required.
the applicant’s readiness to work in interdisciplinary, multicultural teams and their willingness to engage actively in collaborative learning and problem-solving activities.
the student’s potential to contribute meaningfully to discussions, group projects, and presentations will be taken into account, based on their overall academic profile, communication skills, and motivation.

Apply now

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