Webinar Series

ABOUT

The GeneBEcon’s webinar series features four sessions dedicated to key topics explored in the project. Each webinar will not only present the latest findings but also offer valuable insights from key stakeholders, fostering a deeper understanding of the discussions shaping the future of gene editing.

This series is an integral part of our broader initiative to share the project’s key outcomes with all relevant stakeholder groups. It will explore various aspects of gene editing and its role in shaping Europe’s bioeconomy, aiming to support informed policymaking, promote the integration of new genomic techniques (NGTs) into scientific practice, and enhance public awareness of their potential environmental benefits.

Webinars

Public and Business Stakeholder Perceptions on NGT-Derived Food Products

Date and time: Tues 29 April, 14:00-15:30 CEST

About the Webinar

This online session will share the results of a consumer study conducted across five European countries (Germany, France, Denmark, Slovakia, and the UK), highlighting public awareness, perceptions, and acceptance of NGT-derived food products. The webinar will feature key speakers from the GeneBEcon project, including experts from consumer research and business stakeholders.

Executive Summary of the Consumer study

The consumer study conducted in the frame of the GeneBEcon project investigated the acceptance of NGT-derived biobased products among consumers and business stakeholders across Europe. It found that consumers were less familiar with NGTs than with GMOs, indicating a need for distinct communication. When consumers were well-informed, they tended to show more favorable attitudes toward NGTs, while acceptance varied by product type, demographics, and country. Increased sustainability of food production, enhanced food security and improvement of long-term competitiveness of food production were important advantages of NGT-derived products according to the focus group participants.

The project highlights the importance of working together on clear and consistent communication to build trust and ensure that NGTs are successfully adopted in food production systems.

Who should attend the webinar?

This webinar is aimed at policymakers, industry stakeholders, academic researchers, plant breeders, farmers, value chain representatives, and the general public interested in food innovation, sustainability, and the future of food systems. It offers valuable insights for anyone involved in or curious about sustainable agricultural practices and emerging trends in the food sector.

Indicative time	Title	Presenter
14:00-14:05	Welcome and webinar ground rules	Moderator, Amelie Detterbeck, Euroseeds
14:05-14:10	This is GeneBEcon	Dennis Eriksson, SLU
14:10-14:40	Consumer and stakeholder acceptance of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs)	Jan Pokrivcak, Ema Lazorcakova, Miroslava Rajcaniova, Slovak University of Agriculture
14:40-14:55	Retailers perspective: market challenges and opportunities for NGT-derived products	Gabi Buchwalder, Sorten für morgen
14:55-15:10	Literature Review: A summary of international trends and consumer research related to NGTs	Emma Vanden Auweele, Euroseeds
15:10-15:30	Q&A	All speakers

Virus-Resistant Starch Potato for an Environmentally Friendly Agro-Industry system

Date and time: Tues 13 May, 14:00-15:30 CEST

Last Date of registration: May 3^rd, 2025

About the Webinar

This online session will share the results of our research using gene editing to improve the virus resistance and tuber starch quality in the important food crop potato. We will also integrate our analysis on biosafety data requirements, public perceptions and economic impact, using gene-edited potato as a case, since these perspectives are essential for a robust assessment of the innovation´s impact.

The webinar will feature speakers from the GeneBEcon project as well as experts from key business stakeholders.

Who should attend the webinar?

Indicative time	Title	Presenter
14:00-14:05	Welcome and webinar ground rules	Moderator Amelie Detterbeck, Euroseeds
14:05-14:10	This is GeneBEcon	Dennis Eriksson, SLU
14:10-14:40	Virus-resistant potato for a zero-pollution agricultural production	Someone from INRAE
	Optimised potato starch quality for a zero-chemical industrial processing	Laurent Glais, inov3PT Mariette Andersson, SolEdits
14:40-14:55	Biosafety data requirements for EU authorisation of a CRISPR/Cas-edited potato	Detlef Bartsch, BVL
14:55-15:10	Economic drivers to put a CRISPR/Cas-edited potato on the EU market	Justus Wesseler, WU
15:10-15:25	What´s in it for the farmers in the EU?	Thor Gunnar Kofoed, Copa-Cogeca –TBC
15:25-15:30	Q&A	All speakers

Microalgae for a High-Value and Zero-Waste Production System

Date and time: Tues 27 May, 14:00-15:30 CEST

Last Date of registration: May 17^th, 2025

About the Webinar

This online session will share the results of our research using gene editing to increase the production of high-value compounds in microalgae, while using the residual biomass as poultry feed for a zero-waste bioeconomy. We will also integrate our analysis on biosafety data requirements and economic impact, using gene-edited microalgae as a case, since these perspectives are essential for a robust assessment of the innovation´s impact.

The webinar will feature speakers from the GeneBEcon project as well as experts from key business stakeholders.

Who should attend the webinar?

Indicative time	Title	Presenter
14:00-14:05	Welcome and webinar ground rules	Moderator
14:05-14:10	This is GeneBEcon	Dennis Eriksson, SLU
14:10-14:40	Optimised use of microalgae biomass for a high-value and zero-waste production line	Elke Vereecke, EV ILVO
14:40-14:55	Biosafety data requirements for EU authorisation of a CRISPR/Cas-edited microalgae	Detlef Bartsch, BVL
14:55-15:10	Economic drivers to put a CRISPR/Cas-edited microalgae on the EU market	Justus Wesseler, WU
15:10-15:25	What´s in it for the microalgae producers in the EU?	Jean-Paul Cadoret, EABA –TBC
15:25-15:30	Q&A	All speakers

A Comprehensive and Versatile Gene Editing Toolbox

Date and time: Tues 10 June, 14:00-15:15 CEST

Last Date of registration: May 31^st, 2025

About the Webinar

This online session will share the results of our research into developing a comprehensive toolbox for gene editing, including a collection of vectors and protocols for transfection and mutation analysis. We will also cover progress in state-of-the-art base editing, prime editing and homology-directed repair.

The webinar will feature speakers from the GeneBEcon project as well as experts from the academic research community.

Who should attend the webinar?

This webinar is mainly aimed at the public and private research community that uses gene editing as a R&I tool. Also policymakers, industry stakeholders, plant breeders, farmers, value chain representatives, and the general public interested in food innovation, sustainability, and the future of food systems will find it interesting as it offers valuable insights in the technological forefront to develop products for a sustainable and resilient agrifood value chain in Europe and beyond.

Indicative time	Title	Presenter
14:00-14:05	Welcome and webinar ground rules	Moderator
14:05-14:10	This is GeneBEcon	Dennis Eriksson, SLU
14:10-14:30	A comprehensive and versatile gene editing toolbox	Katrijn Van Laere, EV ILVO
14:30-14:45	How to use the toolbox in the lab – examples from tomato and Arabidopsis	Jean-Luc Gallois, INRAE
14:45-15:00	What´s in it for the researchers and innovators in the EU?	Oana Dima, EU-SAGE –TBC
15:00-15:15	Q&A	All speakers

REGISTRATION

Don’t miss the opportunity to join experts and stakeholders from various fields as we discuss the outcomes of the GeneBEcon project. Register now to join one or all webinars.

Secure your spot today!