On 21-22 October 2019, Prof. Lawrence Banks - Director General of ICGEB (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) visited Romania to consolidate strategies for future collaboration.

The visit to the Institute for Biological Research Cluj Napoca, a branch of INCDSB, took place on 21 October 2019.

At the meeting the achievements of the institute were presented, such as:

• Presentation of DANUBIUS-RI project, which was delivered by Dr. Manuela Elisabeta Sidoroff - Director General of INCDSB, Representative of Romania in ICGEB;
• Dr. Cristian Coman presented the paper entitled "The One Health approach environmental and human health stidies";
• Dr. Mihael Cristin Ichim gave a presentation entitled: "DNA metabarcoding authentication of herbal medicines and food supplements for safety and efficacy".

Prof Banks visited the institute's collection of cyanobacteria and algae, the largest in South-East Europe. This was followed by discussions on the work of INCDSB as an ICGEB Affiliate Centre and future joint actions between the two organisations were agreed.

The presence of Prof. Lawrence Banks in Romania was also reflected in the news published on the ICGEB website at: https://www.icgeb.org/scientific-mission-by-lawrence-banks-to-romania/