We are thrilled to share that UBFC – Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté UMLP is co-organising a multi-day Summer School with the valuable support of the EDAPHOS and BIOSYSMO. From 26 August to 30 August, this collaborative effort brings together bright minds, innovative ideas, and a shared commitment to sustainability, circularity, and advanced materials in construction. The program is designed to bridge research and real-world practice, nurturing hands-on experimentation, cross-disciplinary learning, and practical thinking about how science can drive lasting improvements in the built environment.
On Day 2 of the Summer School, organised by UMLP, and the momentum continued with two focused, hands-on tracks. The 1st Group explored soil enzyme activity, featuring a phosphatase assay performed via colorimetric reactions to illuminate enzyme dynamics in soils. The 2nd Group delved into microfluidics for soil ecotoxicity testing, using testing chips with nematodes to evaluate environmental stress. These sessions showcased hands-on science, innovation, and collaboration, underscoring how core techniques in microbiology and microfluidics can inform sustainable soil management and environmental assessment. The day concluded with gratitude and momentum.
The 3rd day started with a trip to Parc des Alliaires in Vieux-Charmont. Participants had the opportunity to see current young poplar plantations alongside older trees planted to mitigate soil contamination in the park. The day also provided practical instruction on how to prepare for field sessions, including an overview of the tools available to participants. Additionally, attendees discovered how ONERA—the French Aerospace Lab—uses drones for remote sensing, offering innovative ways to monitor and assess contaminated soils from the air.
The final day focused on in-field measurements and practical plant health assessment. Students returned to the field to study young poplar growth, measuring height and stem diameter to gauge growth progress. They also learned to use a Chlorophyll Content Meter (CCM) to calculate the Chlorophyll Content Index (CCI), a key indicator of plant health. This hands-on session provided concrete insights into how physiologists monitor vegetation health directly in the field, reinforcing the connection between field data and environmental stewardship. On the field activities, students were split into two complementary sessions: Fungal Strains for Phytoremediation, where participants practiced isolating and characterising fungi that support soil cleanup and sustainable management; and Plant Health Monitoring, which explored field techniques such as stomatal conductance and other physiological measurements to track stress responses and ensure proper plant functioning.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the speakers and professionals, including Humberto Castillo-Gonzalez, Manhattan Lebrun, and Fabienne Tatin-Froux, for sharing their expertise and inspiring the participants.