Capturing the potential of gene editing for a sustainable bioeconomy

Register Here

Date and time: 2nd July, from 10 to 17:15 (reception and dinner from 18:00)

Location: Stanhope Hotel (Rue du Commerce 9, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium)

GeneBEcon, a Horizon Europe-funded project under the ‘Clean Environment and Zero
Pollution’ domain, focuses on circular biobased agrifood systems. Through New Genomic Techniques
(NGTs), the project innovates climate-friendly solutions for agriculture and aquaculture, aligning with
the European Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.

The end of project symposium will showcase the main results from the project, highlighting the
potential of using NGTs to develop more resilient, sustainable and competitive raw materials and high
value compounds for the bioeconomy. It will also outline how different regulatory options impact
biosafety data requirements, the likelihood of uptake and overall socio-economic implications.

The symposium offers the opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders and policymakers to exchange
on the project outcomes, the regulatory context, and the dynamic interaction between innovation
and consumer engagement, all within the expansive scope of the ever-changing bioeconomy
landscape.

Tentative programme

From 9:30 - Registration and coffee/tea and pastries
  • 10:00 – Setting the scene
    • Welcome from moderator –Barbara Levering, Research & Communications Officer
    • Opening remarks – Christina Lunner Kolstrup, Associate Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Sciences, at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
    • Introduction to GeneBEcon – Dennis Eriksson, Associate Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
  • 10:30 – Session 1: The NGTs legislation – Are we there yet?
    • Keynote speech – EU Council representative (tbc)
    • Views from the EU Parliament – EU Parliament representative (tbc)
    • From legislation to implementation – Irene Sacristán Sánchez, Head of Unit Biotechnology, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, EU Commission
    • To invest or not to invest? – A GeneBEcon model on how legislation affects the business case for NGTs in the EU – Justus Wesseler, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy at Wageningen University
    • Panel discussion – All session speakers
12:30 -13:30 - Lunch
  • 13:30 – Session 2: GeneBEcon outcomes – From research to society
    • Enhancing Potato Quality and Disease Resistance: Advancements in Gene Editing for Starch
      and PVY Resistance – Per Hofvander, SLU & Jean-Eric Chauvin, INRAE
    • Harnessing Gene-edited Microalgae for High-Value Compounds and Sustainable Feed
      Additives – Katrijn Van Laere & Evelyne Delezie, ILVO
    • Promoting Consumer Acceptance of New Genomic Techniques – Highlights from European
      Consumer Surveys – Ján Pokrivčák, Slovak University of Agriculture
    • Navigating towards NGT Transition: Strategies to Tackle Misinformation and Disinformation –
      Xenia Theodotou Schneider, XPRO Consulting Limited
    • 15:00 – Meet and greet our researchers – Interactive coffee/tea break poster & product session
    • 16:00 – Session 3: EU competitiveness in the global context – The urgency of retaining talent (short
      presentations followed by panel discussion) The session will address how EU legislation is affecting innovation and start-ups in the EU, with perspectives from those directly affected and other experts in the field.
  • 17:00 – Closing remarks – Dennis Eriksson, Associate Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding at
    the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
17:15 – End of Symposium

Event Location

Stanhope Hotel
Rue du Commerce 9, 1000 Bruxelles

Atelier29
Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29, 1000 Bruxelles

Be Ready for the Science Policy Symposium!

We are cordially inviting you to the Science Policy Symposium brought to you by the GeneBEcon project. Mark your calendars for October 23, 2024, from 15:00 to 17:00. The event will take place at Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee 4a, 10557 Berlin, Germany.

Event Highlights:

  • Organized by BVL & Agroscope: On behalf of the GeneBEcon Consortium, this symposium will provide an in-depth look at the innovative progress of the GeneBEcon project.
  • Expert Insights: Hear from leading experts in science policy and biotechnology.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals and stakeholders in the field.

Stay tuned for more information and registration details. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Keep an eye on our website for updates. We look forward to seeing you there in German!

GeneBEcon Progress Review Meeting Held with European Commission and External Reviewer

On May 21st, 2024, GeneBEcon partners met with the European Commission and an External Reviewer to evaluate GeneBEcon’s progress and achievements. This meeting provided an opportunity to look back at the first half of the project and assess milestones reached so far. To share some of our moments during these first 18 months, we developed a video showcasing our events and research activities, including highlights from our work with microalgae and potatoes in our labs. Tomorrow, the project team will look forward to upcoming plans during the online consortium meeting.