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Chile Develops Drought, Saline-Tolerant Tomato and Kiwi

The University of Chile is stepping up its research to develop tomato and kiwi varieties that are more tolerant of saline lands while requiring less water. They are also studying the development of biostimulants to be used on plants, making them more tolerant to drought- and saline-related stress.

Dubbed the Planta-Con-Ciencia Project, the initiative is a collaborative research among the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), the University of Chile’s Center for Plant Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Sciences, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Development (INIA La Cruz) and the Arturo Prat University. The objective is to seek scientific solutions to develop more resilient and sustainable agriculture brought about by the increase of land affected by drought and salinity stresses that leads to a decrease in crop yield.

The researchers focused on the development of two crops, tomato and kiwi, using the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic engineering technique. For tomato, they chose the Poncho Negro variety known to have high resistance to salinity and the effect of heavy metals. Kiwis, on the other hand, will be used to study increased tolerance to salinity and drought using Hayward commercial kiwi plants, a variety used as rootstocks.

The research simultaneously comes with a study on environment-friendly biomodulators that can be applied directly to tomato and other plants to help increase their resistance to abiotic stress. Growth-promoting rhizobacteria and plant metabolites will be used as the basis for this study component.

The lead researcher stated that they are using biotechnology to seek ways to contribute to sustainable agriculture by improving Chile’s fruit varieties that bring economic value to the country. The project will be accompanied by an information campaign to disseminate information about the importance of science and technology to promote sustainable agriculture and the effects of climate change.

Read more from the University of Chile.

Source: ISAAA

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Toekomstmuziek: groene stroom uit bomen

Een internationaal team ontwikkelt een boom die stroom kan leveren aan zeven huishoudens. Kleine hoeveelheden elektriciteit worden opgewekt wanneer boomblaadjes en schors tegen elkaar aanwrijven. Met hulp van genetische modificatie werken onderzoekers aan een boom die dit contact optimaliseert. De energie wordt vervolgens door de stam van de boom geleid naar een batterij. Het team hoopt dat hun boom een oplossing zal bieden voor de armste 12% van de wereld die op dit moment geen toegang heeft tot elektriciteit.

Bronnen:

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Biotech named key enabling technology in new EU Industrial Strategy

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In its recently published new EU Industrial Strategy, the European Commission sets out how it wants to help drive the competitiveness of Europe’s industry and the transition towards climate neutrality. For both aspects, the development of key enabling technologies such as biotechnology are considered crucial as they are strategically important for Europe’s industrial future. HollandBIO is happy to read that the EU will support the development of industrial biotechnology, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials and technologies. The new Industrial Strategy is seen as a shared commitment in which the EU, its Member States, industry, SMEs and all other relevant stakeholders need to make the most of the upcoming industrial transformation in a renewed partnership.

Source: European Commission

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DSM to acquire Glycom to accelerate growth in Early Life Nutrition

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DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, today announces that it has reached agreement to acquire Glycom, the world’s leading supplier of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) for an enterprise value of €765 million. This transaction represents an EV/EBITDA multiple of 20.6x based on the 2019 reported EBITDA, and around 15x based on the estimated 2021 EBITDA.

HMOs are a collection of carbohydrate structures found in human breast milk. They act as prebiotics in infants, which help to develop the desired microbial flora by serving as feed for the good bacteria in the intestine. HMOs are essential for both immune and cognitive development.

Glycom is a Danish company with more than 150 employees, founded in 2005, that pioneered the development and commercialization of HMOs for Early Life Nutrition applications. The company operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Esbjerg (Denmark) and is the only fully-integrated HMO provider in the world with its own product development, preclinical and clinical development, regulatory and large-scale production with an exciting innovation roadmap for next-generation HMOs. The company achieved €74 million of sales in 2019. These sales were pre-dominantly generated with Nestlé and Nestlé will continue to be an important customer in the future. The Nestlé contract is a mutually beneficial long-term contract with firmly committed volumes also covering the mid-term horizon.

DSM is a leading global solutions supplier to the Early Life Nutrition industry with its unique portfolio of, for example, nutritional lipids, vitamins and nutrient premixes. With the acquisition of Glycom, DSM adds HMOs to its portfolio, a novel high-growth ingredient for next generation Early Life Nutrition solutions.

This acquisition by DSM will be highly synergetic for both companies. DSM can accelerate the growth of Glycom by offering HMO products to DSM’s broad global customer base and integrate it in its full solutions offering for Early Life Nutrition customers. DSM can accelerate the HMO product development of Glycom by leveraging its strong R&D platform and clinical competencies to support Glycom’s development of next generation HMOs. DSM can furthermore introduce HMOs in other segments outside the Early Life Nutrition market, for instance for toddlers, children and adults, as well as in the medical nutrition and the pet food segments, creating additional growth potential.

Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze Co-CEOs of Royal DSM, commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming Glycom to DSM. Our companies have a great fit together, with a shared passion for purpose-led and science-based solutions in Nutrition & Health. This acquisition is an attractive and logical next step for DSM enabling us to provide our customers with innovative Early Life Nutrition solutions in our Human Nutrition business.”

Odd Hansen, CEO of Glycom, added: “We are excited to join DSM. This not only enables us to accelerate the growth of Glycom by adding our HMO products to DSM’s broad global customer base and integrate it in its full solutions offering for Infant Nutrition customers, it also creates leverage with DSM’s strong R&D platform and clinical competencies to support development of Glycom’s next generation HMO’s. DSM is a real great home for Glycom to reach its full potential”.

The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2020.

Source: DSM

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Wat schaft de toekomst?

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Onderzoeksjournalist Amanda Little zet in haar meest recente boek haar zoektocht naar (bio)technologische oplossingen voor maatschappelijke uitdagingen centraal, aldus een recensie in het NRC Handelsblad. Na haar bezoeken aan diverse delen van de wereld is Little naar eigen zeggen ‘genezen’ van haar drang om de industriële landbouw met wortel en tak uit te roeien, maar vindt zij ook dat er een plek moet blijven voor lokale, kleinschalige boeren. Kortom, innoveren met nederigheid.

Little haalt ook haar eigen, mislukte moestuin aan als voorbeeld van hoeveel valse romantiek er bij landbouw komt kijken. Tijdens haar reizen heeft ze de hoop gevonden dat er in de toekomst genoeg voedsel voor iedereen is. Tussen ‘tovenaars’, die al hun kaarten op (bio)tech zetten en ‘profeten’ die in te veel ingrijpen een gevaar zien voor de ecologische balans zoekt Little naar de ‘derde weg’, een synthese tussen traditie en technologie, oftewel ‘het oeroude en het fundamenteel nieuwe’.

Benieuwd naar het hele artikel? Lees hier verder.

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Leestip: Voed de wereld door innovatie

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‘Voed de wereld door innovatie’, zo kopt een lezenswaardig interview met Julie Borlaug in de weekendeditie van De Volkskrant. Julie ziet de landbouw van de toekomst hoopvol in: door innovatie en biotechnologie zullen we straks 10 miljard mensen van voldoende voedsel voorzien zonder daarbij de aarde uit te putten. Eind januari gaf zij een inspirerende en prikkelende lezing tijdens het HollandBIO Year Event.

Ook op dit moment lijdt een deel van de wereld nog honger. Julie is vastbesloten daar verandering in te brengen. Onder andere via Inari Agriculture, de biotech startup waarmee zij werk maakt van zaden op maat voor boeren in ontwikkelingslanden. De drive om honger te bestrijden erfde ze van haar grootvader, Norman Borlaug. Hij ontving in 1970 de Nobelprijs voor de Vrede vanwege zijn rol als architect van de landbouwrevolutie die naar schatting het leven redde van een miljard mensen.

HollandBIO is overtuigd van de rol die innovatie en (bio)technologie kunnen spelen om tot een landbouwsysteem te komen waarin duurzaamheid en voldoende, voedzaam voedsel hand in hand gaan. Met het programma ‘Technologie voor een betere toekomst’ baant HollandBIO de weg voor moderne veredeling in Europa en het moderniseren en toekomstbestendig maken van nationale- en Europese wet- en regelgeving. 

Het uitgebreide Volkskrant interview lees je hier terug (inlog verplicht).

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Bayer, Meiogenix collaborate to accelerate agricultural innovation through the development of unique technologies

Bayer and Meiogenix, a biotech company focused on next-generation breeding technologies, announced today a collaboration to advance agricultural research and development by accelerating the development of Meiogenix’s proprietary technologies related to plant breeding and genome editing applications. This new research collaboration has the potential to deliver much-needed plant health and nutrition improvements to food crops so farmers can more efficiently and sustainably grow improved plant varieties that deliver the types of foods consumers want.

“Farmers need innovative solutions as they face limited natural resources and a changing climate,” said Jeremy Williams, Head of Plant Biotechnology, Crop Science Research & Development (R&D) at Bayer. “Access to Meiogenix’s proprietary technologies could improve the precision and speed with which our breeders enhance crops, which could ultimately accelerate those solutions for the diverse needs of people and our planet.”

Meiogenix’s proprietary technologies are used to induce the exchange of genomic regions between chromosomes of plant cells during meiosis, the natural process that generates genetic diversity during plant breeding. Technologies based on meiotic recombination provide commercial crops with access to a broader genetic diversity, including complex traits for improved food quality, plants’ resistance to diseases and pests, and higher yield potential. The resulting hybrids and varieties have the potential to deliver value throughout the food chain, from farmers to consumers.

“Over the past decade, we have assembled unique know-how, intellectual property portfolio and network of experts to help generate biodiversity and accelerate breeding through modulating meiotic recombination. We are proud to collaborate with Bayer to develop the next generations of crops”, said Giacomo Bastianelli, Co-founder & CEO of Meiogenix.

“Agriculture is facing the challenge of adjusting plant physiology to rapid climate, pest and disease changes, as well as preparing the next generation of healthier food. Collaborating on these new breeding technologies will be key to bringing innovative solutions to farmers and consumers”, said Luc Mathis, strategic advisor of Meiogenix.

As part of the project, Meiogenix will collaborate with top academic institutes to advance these technologies in crops. Bayer offers a wide range of educational materials regarding plant breeding and gene editing technologies on its website.

Source: Bayer (press release)

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DSM partners with Generation Unlimited to create employment opportunities for young people in agri-food businesses

DSM, a global science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living, has announced a new collaboration with Generation Unlimited, a global partnership hosted by UNICEF that identifies and grows solutions to link young people with quality education, skills and on-the-job training. Together with Sight & Life, a humanitarian nutrition think tank, the partnership aims to provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs through the development of agri-food businesses, with the aim of reaching and improving the lives of an estimated one million young smallholder farmers.

Contributing to one of Generation Unlimited’s “Global Breakthroughs” – innovative ideas that have the potential to tackle challenges facing young people across the world – the partnership aims to create a longer-term vision for sustainable food systems in Africa. DSM, Sight & Life and Generation Unlimited will develop a business plan on how young people can contribute to scaling up sustainable food systems through nutrition and food businesses.

The partnership will address the need for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to access finance in order to scale up their businesses, and build the capacity of youth to find employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Furthermore, the partnership will aim to increase demand and consumer awareness on how nutritious food can build a well-functioning food system.

“It is unacceptable that more than 820 million people are still going to bed hungry every single day and that the majority of youth employed in rural areas that are working in the informal economy are not being able to earn a living wage. We must solve this. If you realize that, at the same time, Africa has the most untapped arable land and the youngest workforce but is still importing $35 billion of food every single year, you know something has to be done. Without action, Africa will import more than $100 billion in food. While it can – and should – be self-sufficient. I’m proud that DSM, together with Generation Unlimited and Sight & Life is developing a business plan targeting to reach and improve the lives of one million smallholder farmers in the region. It’s the right thing to do”, said Fokko Wientjes, Vice President Malnutrition Programs and Partnerships, Royal DSM.

“Environmentally sustainable food systems can advance economic growth and create job opportunities for young people, all the while delivering healthy nutrition and positively impacting smallholder farmers. Generation Unlimited supports innovative breakthroughs in the green economy that provide the food industry with numerous opportunities to work with and for young people to increase their future opportunities,” said Roberto Benes, Director of Generation Unlimited.

The partnership is strongly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals – experience shows that in order to create sustainable solutions to address SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), it is crucial to also address SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By focusing on these three SDGs together with partners and networks, it will be possible to make transformational changes to the food system, providing better nutrition to communities while reducing Africa’s reliance on food imports.

The partners will share insights on the topic at the Empowering Youth in Africa: Employment and Entrepreneurship in the Food Sector breakfast event in the SDG Tent at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 24 January.

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The rise of the xenobots

Het klinkt als de titel van een middelmatige scifi-film, maar xenobots staan een stuk dichter bij de werkelijkheid dan gedacht. Amerikaanse onderzoekers hebben onlangs een nieuwe vorm van leven gecreëerd. Xenobots zijn kleine klompjes kikkercellen die kunnen wandelen, ronddraaien en kleine objecten kunnen meeslepen. Toekomstige toepassingen zijn het opsporen van radioactieve stoffen, het verzamelen van microplastics in de oceaan verzamelen of het schoonmaken van aangekoekte aderen. HollandBIO kan niet wachten op het vervolg!

De onderzoekers brengen de xenobots tot stand met hulp van algoritmes waaruit een supercomputer een groot aantal willekeurige ontwerpen genereert. Daarna simuleert de computer het ontwerp om te kijken welke ontwerpen het beste werken voor een bepaald doel, zoals wandelen. De ontwerpen die niet werken, worden weggegooid. Met de goed werkende ontwerpen gaat de computer variëren om te kijken waar verdere verbeteringen mogelijk zijn. De uiteindelijke ontwerpen zet een microchirurg vervolgens met hulp van de hart- en spiercellen van een kikkersoort – Xenopus laevis, vandaar de naam ‘xenobot’ – om in een levend organisme. Biologisch gezien leven ze niet: de levende robotjes kunnen zich niet reproduceren. Na een paar dagen of weken gaan ze vanzelf dood.

De xenobots waren in een waterige omgeving zoals voorspeld door de computer in staat tot coherente bewegingen. En dat was te danken aan hun ontwerp, want als de onderzoekers ze omdraaiden waren ze zo hulpeloos als een kever die je op zijn rug legt. Met de interne energievoorziening die embryonale cellen van nature hebben, hielden de nieuwe wezens het een paar dagen uit. Ze bleken tegen een stootje te kunnen en in staat te zijn om stofdeeltjes bij elkaar te vegen, ook in samenwerking. Praktische toepassingen liggen echter nog ver weg. Op dit moment is het voor de wetenschap vooral fascinerend dat je uit honderd procent kikkermateriaal levensvormen kunt maken die in niets op een kikker lijken en zich heel anders gedragen.

Lees in dit Trouw-artikel meer over de ontwikkeling van de xenobots en hier over de ethische afwegingen en de discussies die daar op termijn over moeten plaatsvinden.

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DSM names Feike Sijbesma Honorary Chairman

DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, today announces CEO Feike Sijbesma will be appointed as Honorary Chairman of the company. In this role, Feike Sijbesma will continue to act as an ambassador to DSM.

Feike Sijbesma (60) is DSM’s longest serving CEO since the post-war period and was a member of the Managing Board for 20 years, of which almost 13 years as CEO. He is being named Honorary Chairman after the handover of his role as CEO to his successors in the first quarter of 2020. This nomination is a tribute to Feike’s contribution to DSM over the years, maintaining a connection between him and the company, as Feike will -when requested- continue representing DSM externally, especially in areas such as (mal)nutrition and climate.

“His appointment as Honorary Chairman is a sign of high esteem and an acknowledgment of his tremendous achievements for the company, enabling the connection between the company and Feike to endure. DSM will continue to benefit from Feike’s tremendous network and knowledge in the area of sustainability,” explained Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Rob Routs.

Source: DSM (press release)

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