EcotoxicoMic Research School 2025

Functional Experimental Approaches in Microbial Ecotoxicology

Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon, Le Teich (France)

October 2025, 06-10

A Week to Remember: Recap of the First EcotoxicoMic Research School

The first International Researcher School organized by the EcotoxicoMic network took place from October 6–10, 2025, at the Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon, in Le Teich, France. Focused on the theme: “Functional Experimental Approaches in Microbial Ecotoxicology”, this week-long event brought together 16 early-career researchers (PhD students and post-docs) from various International research laboratories, working across terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems.

Throughout the week, participants took part in a rich and varied program combining theory, fieldwork, and lab-based experimentation. The training began with a hands-on field session in terrestrial and sedimentary environments, featuring the Biochem-Env mobile laboratory, led by Christian Mougin and Jasna Nikolic. This was followed by a drone piloting session with the GEPEA team, where participants learned how to use drones for sampling and in situ measurements in littoral environments, as well as the application of biosensors. In the lab, the group conducted analyses of collected samples, explored functional measurements in mesocosms, and gained experience with experimental approaches across different environmental matrices. The scientific content was enriched by a series of insightful keynote lectures, while more informal moments — such as birdwatching at the Teich nature reserve — provided opportunities to connect and unwind.

Thanks to all those who helped to make this event successful!

We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed with their time, expertise, and energy to make this first edition a success:

🔬 Lab practices & data analysis

Chloé Bonnineau, INRAE EABX, main organizer of the research school whose dedication and coordination were key to making the event such a success.
Mélissa Eon, INRAE EABX
Laura Kergoat, INRAE RiverLy
Cristiana Cravo-Laureau, Université de Pau (online)
Sylvia Moreira, INRAE EABX
Soizic Morin, INRAE EABX

🌿 Field approaches

Christian Mougin & Jasna Nikolic, UMR ECOSYS INRAE / AgroParisTech / Université Paris-Saclay, Biochem-Env Platform
Sulivan Jouanneau & Gérald Thouand, GEPEA – UMR 6144 CNRS / Université de Nantes / IMT Atlantique / ONIRIS – USC 1498 INRAE

🎤 Keynote speakers

Joan Artigas, Université de Clermont-Auvergne
Aurélie Cébron, LIEC, Université de Lorraine
Nicolas Creusot, INRAE EABX

🏡 Warm thanks to our hosts

The Aquatic Vegetation and Biomarkers labs at UR EABX (INRAE, Cestas) for their kind welcome
The team at the Maison de la Nature du Teich, especially: Sophie, for accommodation and logistics; Thomas, for guiding us through the soil sampling sites and Anne-Julie for the insightful tour of the nature reserve

💰 To our financial contributors whose support have been instrumental in the successful execution of this event

EcotoxicoMic Network
INRAE AQUA department
H2O Lyon
ECOTOX network
Fondation evertéa
University of Bordeaux
EPOC laboratory
Aquitaine Observatory of Universe Sciences

💬 Special thanks to

Roxanne Dhommée, Maria Osipenko, and Ionna Gkoni for organizing the Ecotoxicomic YR quiz
Emilie — for her advices on organizing aspects
And of course, to all the participants, for their interest, enthusiasm, curiosity, and good spirit — even when things didn’t go exactly as planned!

Overview

The EcotoxicoMic Research School 2025 offers an in-depth exploration of functional and experimental approaches in microbial ecotoxicology. Aimed at PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists, this course will focus on the study of contaminant–microbiota interactions, integrating concepts from ecology, microbiology, and ecotoxicology.

The program will combine lectures, hands-on workshops, scientific exchanges, and collaborative discussions — all in a unique natural setting.

The sessions will include :

Keynotes by international researchers
Field training on soil, river and marine environment
Mesocosms : artificial rivers, soil microcosm…
Lab practices on functional measurements: photosynthesis, respiration, enzymatic activities…
Data analyses
Results presentation and discussion

Venue

Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon, Le Teich

& INRAE, Cestas (France)

Participants are informed that travel is not included in the registration fee.

The Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon is accessible from the “Le Teich” railway station (1.4km).

Participation & Eligibility

Participant limit: 16 attendees max

Minimum number of registrations required: 10

Selection based on application materials

Application

Deadline for applications: June 29, 2025

Required documents:

A short CV (max. 2 pages)

A brief motivation letter (max. 1 page), including: a summary of your research topic, your interest in the school and your expectations

Send your application in a single PDF file “name-firstname.pdf” to chloe.bonnineau-at-inrae.fr.

¡¡¡Please entitled your email “EcotoxicoMic 2025 Research school“!!!

Fees include accommodation, meals (from lunch on monday October 6 to lunch on October 10), local transportation, and all training sessions:

Shared double room: €700 / participant
Single room: €900 / participant

Provisionnal program

Speakers & Trainers

Aurélie CEBRON

CNRS, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux (LIEC), Nancy, France

Aurélie Cébron is a microbial ecologist specializing in soil microbial communities in polluted environments. Her research focuses on microbial diversity, biodegradation of contaminants, and the role of plant-microbe interactions, using advanced tools like DNA-SIP to inform bioremediation strategies and improve understanding of microbial functions in contaminated soils.

Laura KERGOAT

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), RiverLy, France

Laura Kergoat is a microbial ecologist specializing in the impacts of environmental stressors on freshwater microbial communities. Her work focuses on the hyporheic zone, examining how pollutants like copper and physical disturbances affect microbial structure and function, contributing to better ecological risk assessments and freshwater ecosystem management.

Cristiana CRAVO-LAUREAU

University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico-Chemistry for the Environment and Materials (IPREM), France

Cristiana Cravo-Laureau research centers on microbial ecotoxicology and experimental ecology, Her work investigates how microbial communities in coastal sediments respond to environmental fluctuations and anthropogenic pollutants, such as hydrocarbons. She employs experimental approaches, including microcosms and mesocosms, to study microbial interactions and biodegradation processes in these environments

Sulivan JOUANNEAU

University of Nantes, GEPEA laboratory, France

Sulivan Jouanneau is a researcher specializing in environmental biosensors, focusing on the development and application of bacterial bioluminescent biosensors for monitoring metal pollutants. His work includes creating systems like Lumisens IV for real-time detection of contaminants such as mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and copper in environmental samples . He has also contributed to the integration of biosensors with sampling drones for autonomous environmental monitoring .

Christian MOUGIN

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), Functional Ecology and Ecotoxicology of Agroecosystems, France.

Christian Mougin is an expert in soil ecotoxicology, specializing in the fate of pollutants and microbial degradation processes. His research focuses on enzymatic biomarkers, fungal oxidases, and bioremediation strategies, advancing both scientific understanding and practical applications for restoring contaminated soils and shaping environmental risk assessment protocols.

Chloé BONNINEAU

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), Aquatic Ecosystems & Global Changes (EABX), France.

Chloé Bonnineau is a researcher in aquatic microbial ecotoxicology, focusing on the impact of pollutants on freshwater benthic microbial communities. Her work examines the functional responses to contaminants like metals and pesticides, using both field and laboratory studies to assess ecosystem health and the bioaccumulation of pollutants in aquatic environments.

Organization team

Marie-Cecile Affholder, Fondation evertea, Valence, France
Laure Bellec, Université de Bordeaux, France
Chloé Bonnineau, INRAE EABX, Bordeaux, France
Cristiana Cravo-Laureau, Université de Pau, France
Roxane Dhommee, Université de Liège, Agro-Bio Tech Gembloux, Belgique
Nicolas Gallois, Université de Toulon, France
Abdulsamie Hanano, Atomic Energy Commission of Syria, Damascus, Syria
Soizic Morin, INRAE EABX, Bordeaux, Francefr
Carmen Palacios, Cefrem, UMR 5110 CNRS UPVD (Université de Perpignan Via Domitia), France
Stéphane Pesce, INRAE RiverLy, Lyon-Villeurbanne, France
Clémence Thiour-Mauprivez, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France