Bioeconomy News

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Gelbrost ist eine Pilzerkrankung und eine erhebliche Bedrohung für den weltweiten Weizenanbau. Typisch für einen Befall sind gelbe Streifen auf den Blättern der Weizenpflanze.

Traditional wheat varieties are resistant to fungi

The fungal disease yellow rust jeopardises wheat cultivation worldwide. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now discovered genes with natural resistance in Asian wheat varieties. These could help to breed robust wheat in the future and thus strengthen global food security.

Das Team um Institutsleiter Prof. Ralph Bock (links) und Projektleiter Dr. Daniel Dunkelmann (rechts) wird in Kürze Nutzpflanzen der nächsten Generation mit optimierten Chloroplastengenomen entwickeln.

Millions in funding for plant genome

With funding totalling 11 million euros from the British innovation agency ARIA, the Potsdam MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology is launching the SyncSol project: a universal plant genome is to make crops more efficient, climate-resilient and pharmaceutically usable.

Agroforst, hier als Alleenkultur, kann die Erträge von landwirtschaftlich genutzten Pflanzen stabilisieren – selbst bei schwankender Verfügbarkeit von Wasser.

Agroforestry stabilises yields

A long-term study by the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart shows that agroforestry makes agricultural systems in temperate climate zones more resilient to climate risks. It therefore represents a resilient and sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture in Europe.

Verschiedene Pilzarten, isoliert von Gebäudefassaden in der slowenischen Küstenstadt Izola.

Living colour for facades

An international research team involving Graz University of Technology is working on integrating microorganisms into facade paints. The aim is to protect the exterior walls of buildings, bind CO2 and break down air pollutants.

Die Forschenden zeigten den Befragten Bilder von landwirtschaftlich genutzten Flächen und identischer Landschaftsszenen, in die sie zum Vergleich Solarpaneele einmontiert hatten.

Agrivoltaics more accepted by the population

Photovoltaics on agricultural land is more accepted by the population than solar installations on unused open land. This is the result of a survey conducted by the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

Tomaten
According to the Leibniz Network's SARAS concept, healthy foods such as vegetables should also be affordable.

Signposts for crisis-proof food systems

The Leibniz Research Network ‘Green Nutrition - Healthy Society’ provides recommendations for the reorganisation of food and agricultural systems, taking sustainability and resilience into account.

Biopestizid als Alternative zu chemischen Pestiziden, um Böden und Artenvielfalt zu schützen.

Seed funding for SenseUP's biopesticides

The Cologne-based start-up SenseUP has concluded seed financing totalling 2.4 million euros. It will use the capital to drive forward its research activities in order to bring new biopesticides to market maturity.

Kulturen der mikroskopisch kleinen Grünalge Chlamydomonas reinhardtii im Labor
Liquid cultures of the microscopic green algae C.reinhardtii in the laboratory

A guide to algae cultivation

How can the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii be reliably cultivated in the laboratory? - A handbook by researchers from Bayreuth and Göttingen provides answers.

Wurde das Gencluster in den rot markierten Bakterien ausgeschaltet, konnten sie kein Detergens mehr synthetisieren. Sie konnten sich dann nicht mehr so gut an die Oberfläche von Öltröpfchen anheften (links) wie normalerweise (rechts).
If the gene cluster in the red-labelled bacteria was switched off, they could not synthesise any more detergent. They were then no longer able to adhere to the surface of oil droplets (left) as well as they normally do (right).

How a marine bacterium digests oil

Researchers were able to clarify how the oil-eating marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis synthesises a natural detergent to destroy the alkanes contained in crude oil.

Investitionen in alternative Proteine ziehen in Europa wieder an.

GFI reports: Record investment in alternative proteins

Investment in the production of alternative proteins reached a new high in Germany last year. This is confirmed by the State of the Industry Reports of the Good Food Institute (GFI) Europe.

An der Hochschule Geisenheim werden Maßnahmen für klimaresiliente Böden getestet.
Measures for climate-resilient soils are being tested at the University of Geisenheim.

Creating climate-resilient soils

The University of Geisenheim is participating in the European HydroSoilWise project to find solutions for climate-resilient soils in horticulture and agriculture.

links: Der BIOMASS-Satellit, eingekapselt in eine Raketenhülle, die ihn auf seinem Weg durch die Erdatmosphäre schützt. Rechts: BIOMASS auf dem Weg zum Startturm, um an der Vega-C-Rakete von Arianespace befestigt zu werden.
Left: The BIOMASS satellite, encapsulated in a rocket casing that protects it on its journey through the Earth's atmosphere. Right: BIOMASS on its way to the launch tower to be attached to Arianespace's Vega-C rocket.

ESA sends BIOMASS satellite into space

The European Space Agency ESA has launched its BIOMASS earth observation satellite to measure forests.

EU-Flagge
LIFE is the only European Union programme dedicated exclusively to environmental and climate protection.

LIFE programme seeks bioeconomy innovations

The European environmental and climate protection programme LIFE has launched a new funding round. Bioeconomy projects can now apply to the ‘Circular Economy and Quality of Life’ sub-programme.

Papacks produziert zertifiziertes Industriehanf in der Ukraine
PAPACKS relies on industrial hemp as an alternative to cellulose in the production of packaging.

PAPACKS establishes industrial hemp for large-scale production

Together with a Ukrainian partner, the Cologne-based company PAPACKS has established the first scalable supply chain for certified industrial hemp.

Dr. Ronny Frank und Dr. Christian Sonnendecker vor einem Sack voll kleingehäckselten PET-Obstschalen, die darauf warten, mit Hilfe des Enzyms PHL7 in ihre chemischen Bausteine zerlegt zu werden.
Dr Ronny Frank and Dr Christian Sonnendecker in front of a bag of chopped PET fruit peel, which is to be broken down into its chemical building blocks with the help of the PHL7 enzyme.

Biological PET recycling: start-up founded

The discovery of the PHL7 enzyme was the starting point for the founding of the Leipzig-based start-up ESTER Biotech.

Miskanthus Häcksel
Agricultural residues contain important ingredients and are therefore an important source of raw materials for the bioeconomy.

Digital tools for the sustainable use of residual materials

Researchers at the University of Hohenheim have developed two tools for the use of agricultural side streams in order to recognize and optimally exploit their potential.

Bodendegradation bezeichnet die fortschreitende Verschlechterung der Bodenqualität durch Erosion, Übernutzung, Verschmutzung oder Verlust der biologischen Aktivität.
Soil degradation refers to the progressive deterioration of soil quality due to erosion, overuse, pollution or loss of biological activity.

Revitalize damaged soils with humus

In the SHAPE project, researchers want to specifically enrich humus with microorganisms in order to strengthen plants and make soils more fertile.

REWE Geen Farming Building
REWE Green Farming is a further development of the green building concept, which was first implemented in Wiesbaden in 2021.

REWE: Fresh salad from the supermarket roof

The second REWE Green Farming centre in Germany will be built in Berlin-Lankwitz by spring 2026. In future, salad mixes will be harvested all year round in the glass roof farm.

Haferprotein als Herausforderung für die Lebensmitteltechnologie: Wie wird daraus ein stabiles Produkt?
Oat protein as a challenge for food technology: how can it be turned into a stable product?

Using oats as a source of protein

Researchers at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences are investigating how the protein content in oats can be optimized and thus used as an alternative protein source.

Solchen Bewuchs mit Seepocken am Ruderblatt eines Schiffes möchte das Projekt „BioSHIP“ zukünftig durch biobasierte Beschichtungen verhindern.
The BioSHIP project aims to prevent this kind of barnacle growth on a ship's rudder blade in the future by using bio-based coatings.

Bio-based coatings for ships

In the interdisciplinary BioSHIP project, industry and science are working together to prevent the fouling of ship parts with biodegradable antifouling coatings.

Digitalisierung der Insektenzucht
Digitalization of insect breeding

Sustainable insect farming with AI

Researchers at the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute want to make the breeding of insects more efficient, resource-saving and comprehensible by expanding the InsectAI technology platform.

Die Geschäftsstelle der VolkswagenStiftung in Hannover-Döhren.
Since its establishment in 1962, the Volkswagen Foundation has funded around 33,000 projects.

Volkswagen Foundation supports ideas for a circular bioeconomy

The Volkswagen Foundation is supporting nine projects that address closed raw material-product cycles with a total of 11.6 million euros - including innovations for the bioeconomy.

Die Sonnenblume ist äußerst anfällig gegen Krankheiten. Forscher wollen das ändern.
Sunflowers can extract unwanted metals from the soil.

Restoring arable soils with catch crops

Not only legumes, but also crops such as sunflowers are suitable as catch crops to remove pollutants from agricultural soils. This is shown in a study by the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research.

Die Wurzeln des Gewöhnlichen Hornklees bilden Knöllchen, die Rhizobium-Bakterien beherbergen und so die Stickstofffixierung ermöglichen.

Root barriers regulate bacterial partnership

An international research team has deciphered how legumes control the symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their root nodules via signaling pathways.

Moor-Photovoltaik-Anlagen in Lottorf
Moorland photovoltaic systems in Lottorf

Paludiculture under PV systems

Growing biomass on rewetted moors and generating electricity at the same time: the feasibility of this innovative concept is currently being investigated in the MoorPower project.

Containerschiff im Hafen
Experts estimate that shipping is responsible for around three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate-neutral marine fuel from wastewater

On March 24, the first demonstration plant that converts biogas from wastewater into climate-neutral methanol was put into operation on the site of the Mannheim sewage treatment plant.

So sieht der in Würzburg synthetisierte Viererstapel aus Farbstoffen aus.
This is what the stack of four dyes synthesized in Würzburg looks like.

Dye molecules of photosynthesis imitated

Würzburg researchers have synthesized four dye molecules from photosynthesis in plant cells and thus artificially recreated one of the first steps of the natural metabolic pathway.

Animation einer Alge, die mit dem natürlichen Polymer Chitosan sowie mit magnetischen Nanopartikeln beschichtet wurde.
Animation of an algae coated with the natural polymer chitosan and magnetic nanoparticles.

Microalgae as biohybrid microswimmers

Max Planck researchers have functionalized microalgae with chitosan and magnetic nanoparticles in such a way that the movement of the unicellular organisms can be controlled - even through human tissue.

Weinanbau
Soil erosion is a major problem for viticulture.

Protecting vineyards from soil erosion with an app

As part of an EU project, researchers at Trier University are developing digital solutions to advise winegrowers on soil protection.

In den Wurzeln des japanischen Hornklees (Lotus japonicus) ließ sich die Ansammlung des Steuerungsproteins SMAX1, hier gelb eingefärbt, nach Zugabe von Ethylen beobachten.
In the roots of the Japanese hornwort (Lotus japonicus), the accumulation of the regulatory protein SMAX1, colored yellow here, was observed after the addition of ethylene.

Hormones control interaction between plant and root fungus

A team led by Max Planck researcher Caroline Gutjahr from Potsdam has been able to clarify how plants control the symbiosis with fungi under stress conditions.

Biogene Rohstoffe wie Holz spielen eine zentrale Rolle für eine fossilfreie Zukunft.
Biogenic resources such as wood play a key role in a fossil-free future.

Ideas sought for the use of biogenic resources

The Joachim Herz Stiftung is supporting three research teams with its new innovate! Fund with up to 1 million euros each. They are looking for innovative approaches that make biogenic resources usable.

Bioreaktor mit dem Bakterium Cupriavidus necator, das einen synthetischen Stoffwechselweg zur Umsetzung von Ameisensäure nutzt.
Bioreactor with the bacterium Cupriavidus necator, which uses a synthetic metabolic pathway to convert formic acid.

Artificial metabolic pathway sets new standards

For the first time, an international research team has been able to optimize synthetic carbon fixation to such an extent that it works more efficiently than natural metabolic pathways.

Ein Forschungsteam der Humboldt-Universität hat Fäkalkompost und Urin als Düngemittel an Maispflanzen getestet.
A research team at Humboldt University has tested faecal compost and urine as fertilizers for plants.

Faecal matter as fertilizer in agriculture

Berlin researchers provide the data basis for including human excreta in the list of permitted source materials in the Fertilizer Ordinance.

Die Wissenschaftler entwickelten ein KI-Modell, das auf Drohnenbildern Beikräuter von Sorghum unterscheiden kann. Als Datengrundlage dienten Drohnenaufnahmen der TFZ-Versuchsflächen in Straubing
The scientists developed an AI model that can distinguish weeds from sorghum in drone images. Drone images of the TFZ trial areas in Straubing served as the data basis.

Automated and selective plant protection

A Bavarian scientific team has researched how plant protection products can be applied selectively and automatically using drones and artificial intelligence. The challenges and results have now been published.

Sensible Lebensmittel werden häufig unter Schutzgasatmosphäre verpackt, um sie vor Keimen zu schützen und die Haltbarkeit zu verlängern.
Sensitive foods are often packaged in a modified atmosphere to protect them from germs and extend their shelf life.

Optimising bio-based food packaging

The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging has developed and trialled a new bio-based, recyclable packaging film for food in collaboration with the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences.

Ein gentechnisch verändertes Pseudomonas putida-Bakterium, das Nylon abbauen und in wertvolle Stoffe umwandeln kann.
A genetically modified Pseudomonas putida bacterium that can break down nylon and convert it into valuable substances.

Bacteria for recycling nylon waste

As part of a Europe-wide project, a research team from Jülich has developed a bacterium that can convert various nylon building blocks into valuable substances – a new approach to combating plastic pollution.

Myzel, das wurzelartige Geflecht von Pilzen, wird mittlerweile in vielen Bereichen als vielseitiges, biobasiertes Material eingesetzt.
Fungi form an extensive underground network called mycelium.

Financing capital for fungal protein start-up Kynda

The start-up Kynda is working on the development of meat substitutes made from mushroom mycelium. It has now received funding totalling 3 million euros. The investors are EnjoyVenture, the PHW Group and Clima Now.

Die innovative innere Struktur der CellScrew® bietet für Zellkulturen eine große Wachstumsfläche auf kleinstem Raum und ermöglicht optimale Wachstumsbedingungen mit geringen Scherkräften und hervorragendem Gasaustausch.
The innovative internal structure of the CellScrew offers cell cultures a large growth surface in a very small space.

Investment in innovative cell culture systems

Innovative cell culture systems that are set to revolutionise production processes in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry – the start-up Green Elephant Biotech is now receiving support from Bürkert Fluid Control Systems for this vision.

Tiefseeschwämme und ihre symbiotischen Bakterien sind ein Forschungsschwerpunkt am GEOMAR. Im Projekt XTREAM werden sich die beteiligten Wissenschaftler:innen besonders auf die Suche nach neuen Biokatalysatoren fokussieren.
Deep-sea sponges and their symbiotic bacteria are a research focus at GEOMAR.

Tracking down biocatalysts in the deep sea

An international research team with the participation of GEOMAR researchers from Kiel is searching for robust microorganisms in extreme habitats on Earth in order to accelerate biotechnological applications.

Flaggen der EU
Clusters from eleven European countries have joined the new bioeconomy alliance EBCA.

New EU alliance for a circular bioeconomy

A total of 14 clusters from various European countries, including Germany, have joined forces to promote a circular and sustainable bioeconomy.