We, a team of scientists from across Europe, recently had the privilege of staying at the magnificent Villa Saraceno in Italy, thanks to the generous support of the Landmark Trust through the Futures scheme.
Our group focuses on the study of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) in grasslands, including how they function and how grassland management practices can influence them. Upon arrival, we were immediately captivated by the beauty of the villa and its surroundings. The meticulous restoration work undertaken by the Landmark Trust is truly commendable. We were able to explore the local area of Noventa Vicentina, wander the picturesque grounds, and appreciate the rich history and architecture of the villa.
The primary purpose of our stay was to foster collaboration and advance our understanding of CMNs. We began with a series of presentations by researchers at various stages of their careers, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and discussion. These presentations sparked lively brainstorming sessions, where we delved into the limitations of our field, explored upcoming experiments, and discussed theoretical developments.
One of the most valuable aspects of our stay was the opportunity for in-person interactions. These interactions not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also provided a space for early career researchers to receive career advice and coaching from senior academics. By being able to interact after presentations, we could engage in casual conversations about research and explore new avenues of thought.
As a direct result of our Futures stay at Villa Saraceno, we were able to design a collaborative experiment to be conducted in the Yorkshire Dales between the British and Italian teams. This experiment will investigate how soil fungi can help grasslands tolerate drought, an increasingly important factor to understand in the context of climate change.
Furthermore, we were able to plan additional experiments with our Irish counterparts. The Irish team will soon visit Manchester to demonstrate DNA sequencing techniques, and we will also deploy novel mathematical approaches presented at the meeting to explore the relationships between fungi and plants in a global dataset.
For those considering applying for a Landmark Trust stay, we highly recommend using this opportunity to meet in person with researchers you may not ordinarily be able to collaborate with. It is also crucial to have clear goals for your stay and to keep the Landmark Trust updated on your progress and achievements.
We are immensely grateful to the Landmark Trust for providing us with this invaluable experience. The stay at Villa Saraceno has significantly strengthened our collaborative efforts and will undoubtedly lead to exciting advancements in our understanding of common mycorrhizal networks.
Dr Henry Birt, Research Associate, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester