Biotechnology/Systems biology

Microorganisms can produce a variety of substances. Their talents have been utilised for centuries - for example in the production of beer, wine and cheese. Microbes are also important tools for biotechnology, for example to produce new products such as bio-based chemicals for the bioeconomy from CO₂.

In order to be able to feed the growing population in 20 years' time, researchers have long been looking for alternatives. One promising option could be lab-grown meat. There is great interest in so-called cell-based meat. Numerous start-ups and research institutions around the world are now working on producing meat without animals having to suffer or be killed. To produce cell-based meat, muscle stem cells are usually taken from an animal and cultivated in a petri dish.

The Berlin-based foodtech start-up Formo can report another success: Following the sales launch of its first vegan cheese alternatives at the beginning of September, the fermentation specialist has gained REWE Group as a new investor. As reported by the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, the retailer was involved in a recently announced Series B financing round in which Formo was able to raise fresh capital of 61 million US dollars. Formo has now raised a total of 117 million US dollars.

The potato is the fourth most important crop in the world after wheat, rice and maize. Although there are around 5,000 potato varieties worldwide, only a few close relatives dominate cultivation, which makes the plant susceptible to pests. In view of climate change, the breeding of new resistant potato varieties is therefore becoming increasingly important.

Biomethane is considered a sustainable energy source. It can be used not only to generate electricity and heat, but also as a fuel, thus making a decisive contribution to climate and environmental protection. As part of an accelerator program funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC), Electrochaea, a company based in Planegg near Munich, has now been able to bring its innovative technology for climate-neutral biomethane production to commercial scale.

Whether in the home, in sport or in the car: objects made from fiber composites are ubiquitous. By combining several components, such as a plastic matrix with fibers, materials are created that meet the most diverse requirements. Up to now, glass fiber reinforced plastics (GRP) have often been used to produce complex and lightweight molded parts. However, the production of glass fiber releases large quantities of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The recycling and disposal of so-called GRP materials is also problematic.

Microalgae not only contain valuable resources. They are also coveted and, above all, efficient biofactories for producing biogenic raw materials for dyes, plastics and biofuel. They only need sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to quickly produce large quantities of biomass. In addition, the cultivation of microalgae binds carbon dioxide. An international research team led by Heidelberg University has now expanded the range of applications for microalgae-based products.

Whether in food and agriculture, medicine, the chemical, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry: biotechnology offers enormous innovation potential for many sectors. At the same time, industrial biotechnology in particular opens up ways for sustainable and resource-conserving economic activity and is therefore a key pillar of the bioeconomy. But what does it look like in practice? According to experts, Germany is lagging behind internationally in the industrial application of biotechnological processes.