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Global apiculture is facing an unprecedented crisis of increasing parasite pressure and a loss of hon-eybee biodiversity. SMARTBEES unites a team of experts with the necessary skills to build a bright and sustainable future. The SMARTBEES concept is low risk and high impact, using established protocols and state-of-the-art methods. Including world leading researchers from outwith the traditional honeybee sphere (e.g. acarology, genetic breeding and insect immunology). We will identify crucial facets of honeybee resistance to colony losses, Varroa and viruses. We will provide a step-change in the current mechanistic understanding of these traits, and will characterise the genetic background of the resistance mechanisms in honeybees. We will develop breeding strategies to increase the frequencies of these valuable traits in local honeybee populations, considering the variable need of both common and endangered subspecies and local beekeeping practises. Breeding efforts concentrating on very few races may endanger genetic diversity, to avoid this SMARTBEES will promote multiple local breeding efforts, to conserve local resilient populations and will develop molecular tools for describing and safeguarding future populations. SMARTBEES recognizes responsibility to protect our natural honeybee heritage. SMARTBEES will commission extension science, and work in cooperation with stakeholders to attain conservation by utilisation. SMARTBEES will establish a network of apiaries for performance testing, to encourage local uptake of resistant traits. These will be run mainly by beekeepers, thereby improving the local acceptability and dissemination, and support the long-term sustainability of the apicultural sector. SMARTBEES recognises the need to horizon scan for new threats, and the consortium includes the current EU reference laboratory to that end. SMARTBEES is an opportunity to make a lasting difference to the health, resilience and genetic diversity of our honeybees.
MariaBox will develop a wireless marine environment analysis device for monitoring chemical and biological pollutants while installed into a buoy, a maritime means of transport or a mooring. The device, based on novel biosensors, will be of high-sensitivity, portable and capable of repeating measurements over a long time, allowing permanent deployment at sea. The word 'MARIA' is the plural of the Latin 'mar' (sea) and expresses the wide applicability that this system offers in multiple locations where low-cost and real-time in situ analytical monitoring devices are required. The approach includes: a) a sensing and analysis box, b) a modular communication system, c) a flexible power system, d) a software platform, and e) a cell phone application. The box will transmit the collected data in real time through different channels according to local needs and geographical location: radio, GSM/GPRS/3G, WiFi, WiMAX or satellite link. The unit will be designed to be remotely controlled and will implement the OTA programming and OTA configuration features which will allow the user to update the firmware of the MariaBox unit and modify various configuration parameters wirelessly. Remote updates are a key factor in deployment scalability since it offers the only possibility of easily updating or reprogramming the devices after the initial deployment. Therefore, the maintenance costs are significantly reduced. Biosensors will be developed for 5 man-made chemicals and for 4 categories of microalgae toxins relevant to shell fish and fish farming. The novel biosensors will contribute to new standards for environmental analysis. The analytes selected for the biosensors are in line with 1) the Article 16 of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), 2) the Decision 2455/2001/EC and 3) The Commission Directive 2009/90/EC. The system developed will be demonstrated and validated in four different scenarios in selected locations in Norway, Spain, Cyprus and Ireland.
Das EU-Projekt FOODMETRES (Food Planning und Innovation für nachhaltige Metropolenregionen) befasst sich mit der ökologischen und sozial-ökonomischen Bewertung von Nahrungsprodukt-(liefer-)Ketten (food chains) und metropolitanen Agrarsystemen. Dabei werden räumliche, logistische und soziale Aspekte sowie Fragen des Ressourcenverbrauchs, des Food Plannings, Governance und sozialer Akzeptanz von der Produktion, Verarbeitung, Distribution bis hin zum Konsum analysiert. Der evidenz-basierte Untersuchungsansatz verbindet quantitative, qualitative und diskursive Methoden und bezieht regionale Akteure mit ein. Die wichtigsten Ziele sind: Die Identifizierung innovativer Konzepte und Praxisbeispiele von Produktketten, die der Versorgung der städtischen Bevölkerung dienen, und die im Kontext kleinmaßstäbiger urbaner, peri-urbaner und peri-urban-ruraler Formen der Landwirtschaft und Nahrungsproduktion bis hin zu großmaßstäbigen metropolitanen Agrarsystemen existieren. Die Bewertung der ökonomischen, ökologischen und sozialen Auswirkungen dieser innovativen Food Chain-Systeme auf verschiedenen Maßstabsebenen unter Nutzung des Ökologischen Fußabdrucks und Produktlebenszyklus-Analyse. Hierbei wird besonderes Augenmerk auf Aspekte wie Effizienz, regionale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, kulturelle Identität (z. B. Landschaften, regionale Märkte) und Ökosystemdienstleistungen (z. B. Wassermanagement, Kreislaufwirtschaft, Biodiversität) gelegt. Die Untersuchung und der Vergleich technischer, logistischer, organisatorischer und governance-bezogener Aspekte dieser innovativen Food Chains anhand von Fallstudien und die Bestimmung von Erfolgsbeispielen (best practise) für ein nachhaltiges Food Planning in Metropolregionen unter Einbeziehung regionaler Akteure aus Wirtschaft und Politik. Die Entwicklung von Szenarien (Modellierung) und Werkzeugen zur Folgenabschätzung (Impact-Assessment-Tool), welche die regionalen Akteure bei der Entscheidung und Planung unterstützen. Eine aktive Wissensvermittlung zwischen und in den sechs Fallstudienregionen, die dazu beitragen kann, Innovationen zu beschleunigen sowie die Generierung von Wissen, dass für andere Akteure in europäischen Großstädten oder in Entwicklungsländern nutzbar ist.
Miscanthus is a C4 perennial rhizomatous grass originating from Eastern Asia that has become a leading candidate crop for production of lignocellulosic feedstocks due to its rapid biomass accumulation in temperate climates. There is currently a single commercial clone, M. x giganteus which has a number of limitations. Research over the past 20 years has shown that a few key species and their interspecific hybrids have a high yield potential whilst requiring low inputs. Partners within this consortium have been working with these species for many years and are able to supply diverse and promising germplasm to form the basis of this project. The overall objective of this project is to optimize the miscanthus bioenergy and biopoduct chain by: trialling elite germplasm types over a range of sites across Europe, Ukraine and Russia; analysing the key traits that currently limit the potential of miscanthus; identifying high-value bioproducts; and modelling the combined results to provide recommendations to policy makers, growers and industry. The outcomes of the project will include screened germplasm and knowledge which will provide solutions to key existing bottlenecks. The plants used in these studies will be propagated through tissue culture or through seeds to generate sufficient homogenous plantlets (WP2) for experiments and trials on laboratory, agronomic plot and near-commercial scales. The specific topics tackled in these trials are (1) dissection of the traits underpinning tolerance to the abiotic stresses drought, salinity, cold and freezing (WP3), (2) yield and quality in a wide range of environments, taking into consideration traits such as senescence, nutrient re-cycling and nutrient-use efficiency (WP4), (3) process-ability of biomass to convenient fuel formats (WP5) and added-value products (WP6). Data gathered in WPs 3-6 will be integrated through the development of modelling parameters needed to build up life-cycle analysis models and other decision support tools to identify optimum production scenarios in the EU, Ukraine and Russia (WP7). Recommendations will be provided to miscanthus developers on appropriate genotype selection, propagation and processing methods to maximize the environmental, economic and social benefits. The development of the full potential of miscanthus through OPTIMISC will contribute to Europes transition to a sustainable biobased economy.
WATERBIOTECH ist ein EU-Projekt, das sich der nachhaltigen Wasserversorgung in Afrika und anderen Entwicklungsländern widmet. Die Nutzung von Biotechnologien zur Abwasseraufbereitung - das ist das grundlegende Prinzip des WATERBIOTECH Projekts. Die angewandten Methoden sollen die Wasserknappheit ausgleichen und die Überstrapazierung der Frischwasserressourcen verringern, sodass eine nachhaltige Wasserversorgung für die Entwicklungsländer Afrikas gewährleistet werden kann. Da Abwasserbehandlung vielmehr ein sozio-ökonomisches als ein technisches Problem ist, soll der Einsatz von Biotechnologien zur Wasseraufbereitung in afrikanischen Gemeinden eine sichere und gesundheitsverträgliche Wasserversorgung und entsprechend eine höhere Lebensqualität sicherstellen. Der Klimawandel und seine Auswirkungen hinterlassen ihre Spuren nicht nur in Afrika, wobei sie hier wohl am sichtbarsten werden. Auf dem Kontinent zeigen sich eine Vielzahl von Problemen: für Wasserknappheit, Hunger und Seuchen werden dringend Lösungen benötigt. Erschöpfte Rohstoffe, begrenzte finanzielle Mittel und enorme wirtschaftliche Schwierigkeiten erschweren den Entwicklungsprozess neuer Abwasserbehandlungsmethoden zusätzlich. Die Aufbereitung von verschmutztem Abwasser und dessen Wiederverwendung ist daher bislang die einzige Möglichkeit für afrikanische Länder, der ständigen Wasserknappheit und der Erschöpfung der begrenzten Frischwasserressourcen entgegen zu wirken. Ein Großteil der Entwicklungsländer kann sich keine modernen und spezialisierten Wasseraufbereitungssysteme leisten. Das Resultat ist unzureichend behandeltes, mit Krankheitserregern, organischen Verschmutzungen, Xenobiotika und Schwermetallen belastetes Abwasser. Dieses Abwasser ist nicht nur umweltschädlich - es kontaminiert auch das Grundwasser, welches in einem desertifizierten Kontinent wie Afrika so wertvoll ist wie Gold, und gefährdet somit die Gesundheit der Menschen. Im Rahmen des WATERBIOTECH Projekts entwickelt ein Konsortium aus 18 Partnern (8 europäische, 8 afrikanische, 1 aus dem Nahen Osten und 1 internationaler) eine praktische Lösung, Biotechnologien als kostengünstige, effiziente und umweltfreundliche Methoden zur Abwasseraufbereitung in Afrika einzusetzen. WATERBIOTECH beruft sich auf alle Methoden, die mittels Pflanzen oder Mikroorganismen Abwasser aufbereiten. Pflanzen und Mikroorganismen sind in der Lage Verunreinigungen in Wasser, Böden und Ablagerungen zu eliminieren. Zudem wird in dem Projekt versucht traditionelle Abwasserbehandlungsmethoden, wie beispielsweise Abwasserteiche, mit modernen Methoden wie Pflanzenkläranlagen (sog. Constructed Wetlands), Belebtschlammverfahren, SBR-Technologie (Sequencing Batch Reactor), Membranbioreaktortechnologie oder Tropf-/Tauchkörperverfahren zu verknüpfen bzw. durch diese zu ersetzen. Der entscheidende Vorteil dieser Methoden ist, dass sie alle mit geringem Aufwand an die örtlichen Gegebenheiten und Ressourcen der afrikanischen Entwicklungsländer angepasst
EnviGuard is a response to the growing need for accurate real time monitoring of the seas/ocean and the aquaculture industries need for a reliable and cost-effective risk management tool. The implementation of the EnviGuard system will allow for early detection of harmful algae blooms (HAB), chemical contaminants, viruses and toxins thus preventing economic losses. The modular EnviGuard system will be made up of three different sensor modules (microalgae / pathogens, i.e. viruses & bacteria / toxins & chemicals), that are connected to the common interface 'EnviGuard Port' which collects and sends the information to a server. The data will be accessible through a website in real-time. The modularity of the system enables an individual setup for each purpose thus offering a tailor-made solution for each future client.
Das Projekt zielt darauf ab die genetischen Ressourcen von Leguminosen in Europa zu untersuchen um Ihre nachhaltige Produktion und Nutzung zu fördern. Neue Sorten und neue Lebens-und Futtermittel sollen die Proteinproduktion in der EU wettbewerbsfähiger und nachhaltiger machen. Kurzfristige Ziele S & T: 1. Bewertung lokaler genetischer Ressourcen von Erbse (Pisum sativum L.), Ackerbohne (Vicia faba L.) und Augenbohne (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) für die Entwicklung von neuen Sorten für Lebens- und Futtermittel und die weitere Verwendung in der Zucht; 2. Entwicklung neuer Lebens- und Futtermittel aus verfügbaren europäischen Sorten von Erbse, Ackerbohne und Augenbohne; 3. Auswahl geeigneter Rhizobienstämme und arbuskulären Mykorrhizapilze zur Unterstützung der Stickstofffixierung und Entwicklung von neuen, kommerziellen Sporen-Impfstoffen; 4. Bewertung des Einflusses von Leguminosen auf die Bodeneigenschaften in nachhaltigen, regional-spezifischen Anbausystemen. Projektschwerpunkt an der BOKU sind die Wurzelsysteme.
BIOFECTOR is an integrated project with the aim to reduce input of mineral fertilisers in European agriculture by development of specifically adapted bio-effectors (BEs) to improve the efficiency of alternative fertilisation strategies, such as organic and low-input farming, use of fertilisers based on waste recycling products and fertiliser placement technologies. Bio-effectors addressed comprise fungal strains of Trichoderma, Penicillium and Sebacinales, as well as bacterial strains of Bacillus and Pseudomonades with well-characterized root growth promoting and nutrient-solubilising potential. Natural extraction products of seaweed, compost and plant extracts, as well as their purified active compounds with protective potential against biotic and abiotic stresses are also tested in various combinations. These features offer perspectives for a more efficient use of nutrients by strategic combination with the alternative fertilisation strategies. Maize, wheat and tomato are chosen as representative crops. Laboratory and European-wide field experiments assure product adaptation to the various geo-climatic conditions characteristic for European agriculture. The final goal is the development of viable alternatives to the conventional practice of mineral fertilisation as contribution to a more efficient management of the non-renewable resources of mineral nutrients, energy and water, to preserve soil fertility and to counteract the adverse environmental impact of agricultural production.
OPTIBIOCAT is a 48 months project aimed at developing biocatalysts based on feruloyl esterases (FAEs) and glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) for production of phenolic fatty- and sugar- esters with antioxidant activity for cosmetic industry, expanding the number/type of industrial biotransformations. Selected FAEs and GEs available within the consortium will be improved for their thermo- and solvent- resistance and substrate specificity by site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution. Novel enzymes will be discovered by mining for new genes from available genomes. An inventory of novel FAEs and GEs will be developed including 50 fungal and 500 bacterial esterases, 25 site-directed and 20 directed evolved mutants. Enzymatic performances will be optimized to enhance the yield (up to the theoretical yield of 100%) and productivity (up to 0.5-1 g/l/h) of reactions giving the main targeted antioxidants: butyl ferulate, p-coumarate, caffeate, sinapate and 5-O-(trans-feruloyl)-arabinofuranose (using FAEs), glucuronate and benzyl glucuronate (using GEs). FAEs and GEs will be also tested for production of other compounds with improved biological activity and properties of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity for cosmetic applications. Cost-effective methods will be developed for production of the new biocatalysts, in the g/L scale, and for their technical application to produce antioxidants for cosmetic industry, up to 20L. Enzyme immobilization will increase their recyclability up to ten cycles. The ability of the developed catalysts to work in conditions miming the industrial ones with reduced use of solvents and lower temperature than the chemical routes will be demonstrated. The techno-economic viability and environmental friendliness will be assessed considering a full industrial scale scenario. OPTIBIOCAT involves a highly skilled and multidisciplinary partnership of 16 partners from 8 EU countries, and it is a strongly industry driven project through the participation of 8 SMEs and 1 large company.
The project GRAIL has been build with 15 partners from 9 different countries with the aim of finalising the solutions given previously to the valorization of glycerol and transform then in valuable products in a biorefinery approach. The overall concept of GRAIL project is the use, exploitation and further development of the state of the art in the field of bio-based products from glycerol and the development research-driven cluster for the use of crude glycerol for the production of high-value platforms, as well as valued end products, harnessing the biotech processes. Therefore GRAIL project has a strong business focus and its ultimate goal is to set up implantation of biorefineries in close relationship with biodiesel. This project's aim is to develop a set of technologies for converting waste glycerol from biodiesel production in a biorefinery concept to end with products of high value such as 1,3 propanediol, Fatty acid glycerol formal esters, PolyHydroxyAlkanoates (PHA), Hydrogen and Ethanol, Synthetic coatings, powder coating resins, Secondary Glycerol Amine, Biobutanol, Trehalose, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), ß-carotene, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), .The GRAIL project has designed an overall strategy based on three main pillars covering all the value chain: Pillar 1: Raw materials: Evaluation of crude glycerol and purification - Pillar 2: Product development: Research and development to transform crude glycerol into other high added value such as biofuels, green chemicals and food supplements - Pillar 3: Industrial feasibility aspects including economic and environmental evaluation. This pillar will take the results of GRAIL from the product development to the industrial site. To carry out that the technical feasibility will be study on a pilot plant in a Demonstration (and the results will be important to evaluate the LCA and the economic feasibility (WP6).
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