Project description
Microbial biopesticides for disease vectors and agricultural pest control
Green biotechnology's sustainable goals include innovative technologies that fight debilitating and rare diseases in humans and plants and replace chemical processes that produce polluting materials.. The Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IMBB-FORTH) at Heraklion Crete perform pioneering research and promote scientific excellence. The EU-funded MicroBioPest project will establish the MicroBioPest research team at IMBB to develop environmentally safe microbial biopesticides, to address vectors of human diseases and agricultural pests. The project will apply innovative components and advanced methodologies to identify insecticidal microorganisms, elucidate microbial bio-pesticide nature and mode of action, and prototype product development.
Objective
The proposed ERA Chair, Prof. George Dimopoulos, completed his PhD at IMBB-FORTH in 1996 and has through a remarkable career path (Harvard, EMBL, Imperial College, Johns Hopkins) become a world-leader in the field of vector biology/microbial biopesticides. He will establish the MicroBioPest research team at IMBB, aiming to develop environmentally safe microbial biopesticides, for tackling vectors of human diseases and agricultural pests. The research plan includes innovative components and state of the art methodologies, for the identification of insecticidal microorganisms, elucidation of the nature and mode of action of microbial bio-pesticide, and, prototype product development. This project and research line coincides with the strategic plan of the IMBB Director John Vontas, an experienced researcher in chemical insecticides (currently coordinator of two Horizon2020 and several industrial projects). This project is aligned with his Green Biotechnology sustainable development goals, and the RIS3 of the Prefecture of Crete, in a region where agriculture and tourism are the main pillars for the economy. MicroBioPest will be supported by structural reforms, such as: (i) the establishment of a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab for work with vector pathogens, (ii) the allocation of space within the €60M investment by the EBI, for “Research, Training and Innovation Center” for hosting the sustainable Biotech-Biopesticide Center (BIOPEST) that will evolve from MicroBioPest, and (iii) operational procedures that will strengthen the Technology Transfer capacity of IMBB. The project will form a powerful and inspiring example of brain gain for the broader EU. It will train and educate young scientists towards pragmatic career prospects in Academia and industry. It will form a unique scientific niche in Greece, with significant impact on the society via tailored communication platforms for target groups, and offer alternative eco-friendly solutions to control insect pests.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-BasedCoordinator
70013 Irakleio
Greece