Funding For Leiden Researchers Working On Projects Involving Biochemical Substances

From sustainable crop protection using micro-organisms to energy-efficient enzymes from residual streams: five projects involving Leiden researchers are receiving funding from NWO and co-funders. The projects contribute to exploring, analysing and applying biochemical substances from nature for more sustainable production processes.

NWO has made €8M available for seven research projects, five of which involve Leiden scientists. The funding was awarded under the KIC-call ‘Biochemical diversity’.

Below is a short summary of the projects.

Biological crop protection using micro-organisms
Spatial Profiling of Interactions and Chemical Ecological diversity for sustainable agriculture (SPICE)

Main applicant: Francisco Barona Gomez, Associate Professor, Institute of Biology (Leiden University)
Co-applicants: Akos Kovács (Leiden University), P.W. Lindenburg (Leiden University of Applied Sciences), J.J.J. van der Hooft (WUR)

Worldwide, agriculture is shifting from chemical-dependent to more sustainable production methods. Crop protection remains necessary. The team will investigate how micro-organisms can contribute to more sustainable crop protection. These micro-organisms, known as Biological Control Agents, produce bioactive substances that can protect crops. Much is still unknown about these substances and how they work.

Using an advanced measurement technique, the research will map which substances micro-organisms produce and how these work. Together with public and private partners, the researchers are looking for new ways to apply biological crop protection on a larger scale. In total, this project receives €1,600,000 in funding.

Energy-efficient enzymes from industrial waste streams
Neutral, Low Energy & Re-usable Cellulases Using Waste Stream Carbon (MILDCELL)

Main applicant: Arthur Ram, Professor of Fungal Genetics and Biotechnology (Leiden University)
Co-applicant: J. Jiang (University of Twente)

Industry faces the challenge of making production processes more sustainable and using raw materials more efficiently. The researchers will develop new, energy-efficient enzymes that can break down cellulose under mild conditions. These enzymes are produced by fungi that grow on industrial residual streams, which are often discarded at present. In this way, these waste streams are given a new purpose as raw material.

The researchers will test the technology for purposes such as reusing cellulose from wastewater and more sustainable textile treatment at low temperatures. In this way, they aim to reduce energy and chemical use and contribute to more circular production processes. In total, this project receives €1,200,000 in funding.

Microbial substances for sustainable crop protection
Soil Chemical Ecology for SustaiNable Crop ProtecTion (SCENT)

Main applicant: Paolina Garbeva (KNAW)
Co-applicants: Gilles van Wezel (Leiden University), V. Cordovez da Cunha (KNAW), J. Dickschat (KNAW, University of Bonn), M.H. Medema (WUR), J.M. Raaijmakers (KNAW)

Soil bacteria produce substances that can protect plants against diseases, but many of these natural possibilities have not yet been studied. The researchers will map these substances and improve the most promising variants, with the aim of developing new forms of sustainable crop protection. The project may contribute to reduced use of synthetic pesticides and more sustainable food production. In total, this project receives €1,270,000 in funding.

Different protein forms for the development of medicines
Translating Protein Diversity into Next-Generation Biotherapeutics (NextBio)

Main applicant: Anouk M. Rijs (VU)
Co-applicants: M.H.A. Bos (LUMC), G.W. Somsen (VU)

Proteins can occur in different forms, each of which can have a different function in the body. The researchers are developing methods to study these protein forms accurately. They are also investigating the role of these forms in blood clotting disorders and in diseases in which nerve cells deteriorate. The project may contribute to the development of safer and more effective medicines. In total, this project receives €1,750,000 in funding.

Plant-based solutions for infection prevention
Developing a Natural Decontamination Strategy for Hospital Drainage Channels (NaDeCon)

Main applicant: Willem J.B. van Wamel (Erasmus MC)
Co-applicants: Young Hae Choi (Leiden University), N. Hermans (University of Antwerp), dr. B. Schrammeijer (Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), J.A. Severin (Erasmus MC), E. Tuenter (University of Antwerp)

In hospital drains, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can accumulate in slimy layers that are difficult to remove and pose a risk to vulnerable patients. The researchers are therefore developing a more environmentally friendly disinfection method using antimicrobial substances from plants. The project may contribute to more sustainable and more effective infection prevention in healthcare institutions. In total, this project receives €1,600,000 in funding.