Yerevan State University and University of Vienna launch APPEAR project on fungal biodiversity

Within the recently selected APPEAR project BioBarFungArm a study visit took place from 3–9 April 2025 at the University of Vienna. During the kick-off meeting staff from Yerevan State University (YSU) — Siranush Nanagyulyan, Narine Zakaryan, and Lusine Margaryan — presented the scientific and educational initiatives undertaken at the Faculty of Biology. Project coordinator Prof. Siranush Nanagyulyan offered a comprehensive overview of the faculty’s research and academic activities, particularly those within the Department of Botany and Mycology. She also highlighted various scientific and educational programmes currently offered at YSU. 
Dr. Arsen Aproyan, project administrator, showcased YSU’s wide-ranging international collaborations and active participation in grant programmes. Dr. Valeri Bagiyan, coordinator of the second partner institution, introduced the extensive database of non-infectious microbial cultures with scientific and industrial relevance, maintained at the Microbial Depository Center of the Scientific and Production Center “Armbiotechnology.”
The meeting also included a discussion of the University of Vienna’s curricula, teaching methodologies, and class formats. Elke Stinnig, from OeAD, also attended the meeting and provided detailed information on the project implementation guidelines of the APPEAR programme.

During their visit to Vienna, the Armenian partners participated in laboratory classes led by the Austrian coordinator, Prof. Irmgard Greilhuber, focusing on relevant subject areas. The delegation also visited the mycological and botanical laboratories at the University of Vienna, where they were introduced to laboratory practices in DNA barcoding. Under the guidance of Dr. Hermann Voglmayr, they examined herbarium samples and toured the University’s Herbarium.

Furthermore, all participants discussed and agreed to continue their joint activities at the upcoming summer school and workshop, scheduled to take place in Armenia in October.