Welcome to the Second Edition of Our Newsletter

We are excited to share the latest breakthroughs, milestones, and collaborations shaping the future of gene editing for a sustainable bioeconomy. In this issue, we highlight key advancements, insightful discussions, and what’s next for our mission.

Recently, we hosted impactful events, including the SMA Workshop, where we explored advancements in gene editing applications, and the Review Meeting, where we assessed progress and set future strategies. The Science-Policy Symposium brought together experts to bridge research and policy for responsible innovation, while the 3rd RRI Workshop focused on co-creating ethical and inclusive solutions. Our Consortium Meeting strengthened global collaboration, and our partners have published groundbreaking scientific research, further driving innovation in the field.

Looking ahead, we are committed to fostering more innovation, deeper collaboration, and greater impact. Stay tuned for upcoming activities as we continue shaping the future of sustainable biotechnology.

Read more here.

Microalgae: A Key Player in Europe’s Sustainable Bioeconomy

A new review from the GeneBEcon project was published, exploring the state of microalgae production in Europe. It examines how microalgae are cultivated, processed, and used commercially, along with the regulatory barriers that shape the industry’s future.

With 146 products from 66 producers and 49 companies providing technology and services, microalgae are used in food, feed, cosmetics, and other sectors. Their production depends on biological traits, cultivation conditions, and processing technologies, with a focus on optimizing resource use and integrating industrial waste streams.

The review uncovers key factors influencing sustainable production, from biological traits and cultivation methods to industrial waste integration. Advances in genomic techniques and bioprocessing are improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact, but EU regulations still present hurdles for scaling up.

Microalgae play a role in the EU’s Green Deal, supporting alternative proteins, bioplastics, biofuels, and wastewater treatment. Strategic investments in genomics, bioreactors, and bioprocessing could expand the sector further.

The full review provides a detailed analysis of the current landscape, the challenges ahead, and the developments shaping the future of microalgae production in Europe. Read more to understand the key trends and opportunities in the sector.

Read it here.

Could Microalgae Transform Poultry Feed? Discover Here!

A study from the GeneBEcon project examined the use of Chlorella vulgaris, a type of microalgae, in broiler chicken feed. Researchers tested diets with 0% to 20% microalgae and compared unprocessed biomass to biomass treated with pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to see how it affected nutrient absorption, growth, and meat characteristics.

The results showed that higher levels of C. vulgaris reduced digestibility of proteins, fats, and energy. PEF processing improved digestibility compared to unprocessed biomass by breaking down cell walls, which made nutrients easier to absorb. Increased amounts of microalgae in the feed also led to lower body weight, slower growth, and changes in meat color, with darker meat observed at higher inclusion rates.

This study highlights how microalgae and processing methods like PEF can be applied to poultry feed to meet nutritional needs and improve feed efficiency.

Read the full study here.

From Research to Policy: Insights from GeneBEcon’s 5th Consortium Meeting

The 5th GeneBEcon Consortium Meeting brought partners and stakeholders together in Berlin to assess progress, strategize for the project’s final phase, and explore ways to maximize the impact of its results. Highlights included insightful presentations from project partners, updates from the Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB), and sessions on advancing the project’s Key Exploitable Results. Partners also refined the NGT Transition Action Plan in a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Workshop facilitated by XPRO Consulting. This plan outlines short-, medium-, and long-term actions to boost awareness of new genomic techniques (NGTs) and counter misinformation across diverse stakeholders, including farmers, the food industry, policymakers, and NGOs.

Participants also engaged in an Exploitation Workshop with external advisors and the Horizon Booster Service, focusing on strategies to sustain the project’s impact beyond its conclusion. The consortium’s work on systems mapping was another focal point, offering frameworks to connect GeneBEcon’s research with policy pathways and practical applications in sustainable agriculture and plant breeding.

Turning Innovation into Action: Explore Key Takeaways from GeneBEcon’s Exploitation

The recent GeneBEcon Exploitation Workshop brought together external stakeholders and Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) members to review and advance the project’s exploitation strategies. During this collaborative session, participants explored the Key Exploitable Results (KERs) presented by project partners and assessed their broader potential within the agricultural value chain. By focusing on strengths and challenges, the workshop aimed to solidify robust, targeted exploitation plans that will drive the practical impact of new genomic techniques (NGTs) across sustainable agriculture and bioeconomy sectors.

Insights from this workshop will be instrumental in aligning GeneBEcon’s goals with real-world applications, ensuring that the project’s outcomes meet the demands of various stakeholders.

The Final RRI Workshop: Advancing the NGT Transition Action Plan

The third and final Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) workshop on the NGT Transition Action Plan, designed and facilitated by XPRO Consulting Limited, took place on 25 October 2024 in Berlin during the 5th Consortium Meeting.

This interactive session brought together the Stakeholder Advisory Board, external stakeholders, and GeneBEcon partners to evaluate and refine the proposed Transition Action Plan for new genomic techniques (NGTs). Participants analyzed actions and their interdependencies across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons, focusing on six key stakeholder groups: farmer associations, breeder associations, the food industry, consumer associations, policymakers, and NGOs.

The workshop aimed at addressing the challenges of misinformation and disinformation, affirming the plan’s strategic direction. Attendees emphasized the importance of inclusive discussions, mutual learning, and actionable steps to enhance NGT awareness and sustainable plant breeding. Building on these insights, the GeneBEcon team at XPRO Consulting is now finalizing the Transition Action Plan, which will result into six specific NGTs Transition Pathways, one for each stakeholder group.

Shaping EU Policy on Genomic Techniques: Explore Key Insights from GeneBEcon’s SAB Workshop

The recent GeneBEcon Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) workshop brought together experts from Plants for the Future, Euroseeds, and ILVO to assess the strategic gathering focused on the progress of the EU legislative proposal concerning plants developed through new genomic techniques (NGTs) and provided a comprehensive update on GeneBEcon’s ongoing systems mapping work.

Participants received a detailed briefing on the project’s latest advancements, with an emphasis on how systems mapping applies to the GeneBEcon project’s objectives. This SAB workshop underscored the importance of aligning insights from stakeholders and research partners, solidifying GeneBEcon’s commitment to making informed contributions to EU policy for sustainable agriculture and plant breeding.

Impacts of accelerating agricultural R&D transfer on global food security

A recent study by researchers at Wageningen University and Wageningen Economic Research within the framework of the GeneBecon initiative underscores the importance of speeding up the transfer of agricultural R&D, particularly in genome editing (GE), to improve global food security.

Published in the journal GM Crops & Food, the research identifies the substantial economic and agricultural costs associated with regulatory delays in the adoption of GE technologies. Such delays impede productivity advancements and impose significant opportunity costs. GE technologies possess the capacity to improve key agronomic traits, including pest resistance, yield enhancement, and nutritional fortification, thus representing a transformative avenue for advancing global food security

Using the MAGNET model, researchers explored the impact of faster R&D transfer on global agriculture and economies under two scenarios: high-income countries and global acceleration. Results show that while the EU and the US would benefit economically, middle- and low-income nations like China and India would gain the most, highlighting the benefits of a coordinated global effort.

The study quantifies economic losses from GE adoption delays, for instance, the EU is projected to lose up to $158 billion from 2020 to 2030 without accelerated R&D, whereas China could gain $358 billion with faster adoption.

Accelerated R&D transfer is anticipated to drive significant increases is expected to boost agricultural productivity, GDP, societal welfare, and food affordability, with improved caloric availability and increased unskilled labour wages relative to cereal prices.

The researchers advocate for a re-evaluation and simplification of the regulatory frameworks governing GE technologies. Streamlined regulatory pathways are essential for sustainable agricultural development and tackling global food insecurity delineated in the study.

Po Policymakers, governments, and all stakeholders, this is your opportunity to make a difference. Explore the full study to uncover actionable insights and data that can drive transformative policies and solutions for sustainable agriculture. Together, we can shape a more secure and equitable food future

Access the study here!

Researchers Explore Microalgae as a Sustainable Solution for Poultry Health and Antibiotic Reduction

Researchers from ILVO and Ghent University have explored the impact of microalgae in poultry feed. This review looks at the health effects on broilers and laying hens.

Microalgae, with their rich nutritional profile, are being studied as a feed additive. The bioactive substances they contain, such as phenolics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, oligosaccharides, and carotenoids, can support poultry health. These compounds offer benefits like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

With the ban on preventive antibiotic use in feed, microalgal biomass is seen as an alternative for enhancing growth and reducing health issues. The review covers key health areas including intestinal tract histology, permeability, immunity, antioxidant levels, and the effects on the intestinal microbiome.

The review concludes with recommendations for further research and practical steps to improve poultry health using microalgae.

Read more here