Agriculture
anyTarget: Commercial potato growers
If you are a commercial potato grower dealing with crop loss from viruses — this project developed virus-resistant potato varieties that reduce the need for pesticides.
GeneBEcon · Project
Using Gene Editing to Create Disease-Resistant Potatoes and High-Value Microalgae Ingredients
foodTestedTRL 5
Imagine giving plants a built-in shield against viruses so farmers don't have to spray as many chemicals. It's like upgrading a potato's internal software to make it healthier and easier to process into starch. The project also turns tiny water algae into mini-factories for high-end cosmetic ingredients and animal feed.
By the numbers
19
partners
11
countries involved
5
SMEs in consortium
The business problem
What needed solving
Regulatory uncertainty and public perception currently block the investment and scaling of gene-edited crops and algae in Europe, preventing the use of more efficient, low-pollution production methods.
The solution
What was built
The project developed virus-resistant potato varieties and a system for producing high-value amino acids from microalgae, including an upscaling report for the algae strain.
Audience
Who needs this
Potato seed breedersIndustrial starch processorsCosmetic ingredient suppliersSustainable aquaculture/feed companies
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Cosmetics
SMETarget: Skincare ingredient manufacturer
If you are a skincare ingredient manufacturer dealing with expensive raw material sourcing — this project developed a way to produce mycosporin-like amino acids using microalgae.
Animal Feed
mid-sizeTarget: Poultry feed producer
If you are a poultry feed producer dealing with unsustainable protein sources — this project developed a zero-waste system using microalgae residues as feed.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the cost of implementing these NGT solutions?
Based on available project data, specific pricing or implementation costs are not provided, though the project includes an economic analysis of different regulatory options.
Can these microalgae processes be scaled to industrial levels?
Yes, the project specifically includes a report on the upscaling of the microalgae strain and the adaptations needed when moving to an NGT strain for production.
How is the IP and licensing handled for the gene-edited crops?
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not mentioned, but the project focuses on guiding new regulations to enable market entry.
What regulatory hurdles exist for these products in Europe?
The project evaluates regulatory options and provides legal insights to help NGT products comply with safety standards and reach the market.
What is the timeline for commercial availability?
The project runs from 2022-09-01 to 2025-08-31, focusing on the transition from research to scaling up.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring 19 partners across 11 countries. With a 26% industry ratio including 5 SMEs, there is a strong bridge between the 5 universities and 4 research institutes and the actual market, ensuring that the technical developments in potatoes and algae are aligned with industrial needs.
How to reach the team
Contact the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet)
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to find a licensing partner for NGT-derived crop traits.
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