Biotechnology/Systems biology

Scenarios for microbial plastic recycling

Objects made of plastics last extremely long. The obvious advantage of longevity is also a problem, as the material, which consists of fossil raw materials, has been proven to pollute the environment. The problem is microplastic particles, which are created by decomposition and can travel long distances. They are now found everywhere - in the soil, groundwater, sea and the food chain. Recycling plastics and returning the material back into the cycle is an alternative way to get the plastic problem under control without wasting the material.

Biogas from mushrooms

Tübingen-based Novis GmbH is dedicated to the further processing and generation of energy from residues. For example, it already generates biogas from manure, chicken dung, fruit and vegetable residues as well as slaughterhouse waste. Now another residual material is to be added: Champignon compost (Champost). As part of the EU project "Smartmushroom", which is endowed with 3 million euros, the team led by Novis Managing Director Thomas Helle intends to develop a biogas plant that will be operated with champost.

FiBL and IFOAM (2018): The World of Organic Agriculture

Therefore, the positive trend of recent years continues. The demand for organic products is growing constantly and more and more producers switch to organic agriculture.  Data on organic farming from 178 countries were evaluated.

The statistical yearbook on global organic farming is published jointly by FiBL and IFOAM - Organics International. The data collection on organic farming worldwide is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, the International Trade Center (ITC) and NürnbergMesse.

nova-Institut (2019): European Bioeconomy in Figures

A study conducted in 2016 by the nova-Institut on behalf of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) showed for the first time which macroeconomic effects the bioeconomy has. In April 2018, an update of the study with the data for 2014 and 2015 was published. According to the study, the primary sectors (agriculture, forestry and fisheries) as well as food, beverages, tobacco, paper and paper products can be regarded as fully bio-based and are therefore fully included in the bioeconomy.

High performance without oxygen

Biotechnology is no longer a new field, yet innovative processes are constantly emerging. Many of them could reach market maturity, but there is no industrial implementation routine in place yet. Among these are bioelectrochemical processes. The core of microbial bioelectrochemistry is the interaction of microorganisms with electrodes. Some bacteria can breathe with electrodes: Electrons generated during the production of a recyclable material are then not transferred to oxygen by these organisms during respiration, but are passed directly to an electrode.

Givaudan takes over cosmetics business of AMSilk

The vegan silk biopolymers of the company AMSilk seem to be in particular demand with Swiss companies at present: After the luxury watch manufacturer Omega announced a cooperation with the Martinsried biotech company in January, Givaudan, the world's largest manufacturer of fragrances and flavors, announced its next coup: The specialty chemicals company based in Vernier will take over the cosmetics business of AMSilk GmbH. The acquisition is part of Givaudan's 2020 strategy to strengthen its Active Beauty business. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Healing plants with nanocapsules

Nano-carriers that are loaded with active substances and release these straight to the diseased cells are already in use in cancer medicine. Now this "magic bullet" could soon also cure plant diseases. A team led by Frederik Wurm from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI) has been working for several years on establishing this treatment method for diseased vines.

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