Once again, Germany has a Bioeconomy Council: On December 7, 2020, the expert body met in a new composition and began its work - virtually, of course. There had already been a German Bioeconomy Council from 2009 to 2012 and from 2012 to 2019, which acted as an advisory body to the German government. The third council now has the particular task of accompanying the implementation of the National Bioeconomy Strategy adopted in January 2020.
Insects are considered the protein source of the future. The founder of "Snack-Insects", Folke Dammann, certainly agrees. In addition to offering a variety of insect-based products to private consumers and restaurants since 2013, the company also organizes tasting sessions, insect cookery courses and information events to counteract prejudices and misconceptions regarding insects as food.
Microplastic particles are not restricted to oceans: they also invade inland waters. But how do these tiny particles get into rivers and lakes, how dangerous are they really and how can they be removed? Christian Schaum intends to answer these and similar questions over the next three years.
A growing number of people on the planet also means a growing amount of waste and waste water. Its conventional treatment in sewage treatment plants requires a lot of energy and is quite expensive. Now, there is a new approach that focuses on bacteria. In short: these microorganisms can not only purify waste water, but also generate electricity at the same time.
Computer-aided modelling and simulation of processes is standard in many places today. Such computer models are rarely used in biotechnology. Sonja Berensmeier wants to change that. The Munich biotechnologist is focusing on peptides, the multi-talented biomolecules. As part of the initiative "Next Generation of Biotechnological Processes - Biotechnology 2020+", she is investigating the biomolecules and their interactions with different materials. Using computer models, the researcher aims to functionalise peptides and tailor them for technical applications.
Jellyfish are not very popular. On the beach or in the water they are usually considered a nuisance. However, Jamileh Javidpour is convinced that the sea dwellers could very well turn out to be quite useful. In the EU project "GoJelly", a team led by the Kiel marine biologist is investigating whether marine organisms can also be used as microplastic filters or for the production of fertilizer and fish feed, similar to algae.
Does the dramatic decline in insect populations in recent years have similarly serious effects on populations of plants whose reproduction depends on pollination by insects?
The discovery of the revolutionary tool of molecular biology - the CRISPR-Cas9 gene scissors - was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2020. For the discoverers it is the crowning glory of a series of top-class science prizes: microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier, who conducts research in Berlin, and US molecular biologist Jennifer Doudna have long become stars of science.
Unexpected European deal in the industrial biotechnology sector: Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH has a new owner. The Danish group Chr. Hansen took over the company from Rheinbreitbach on September 22. As bioökonomie.de found out on request from company founder Stefan Jennewein, the purchase price is 310 million euros.
Along with industry, agriculture is an important economic factor in the Land of Brandenburg. Almost a third of the total land area is currently used for agriculture. Huge quantities of residues are produced which can be used both materially and energetically. Establishing agricultural biomass as a raw material and making better use of it is a cornerstone of the bioeconomy. The State of Brandenburg now intends to invest almost 25 million euros in the bioeconomic future.