Objective
Transitioning to sustainable crop protection is a pillar of the European Green Deal, calling for a 50% reduction in chemical pesticide use by 2030. This requires reliable, field-robust biological alternatives. LAB-Protect builds on the ERC StG Lacto Be and aims to develop next-generation microbial biocontrol agents (MBCAs) based on plant-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB), an underexploited yet highly promising class of beneficial microbes. One lead strain isolated from strawberry tissue shows exceptionally potent inhibition of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens and retains its antagonistic activity after spray-drying, enabling stable formulation and long-term storage. Importantly, this strain demonstrated robust disease suppression directly on plants, overcoming the major bottleneck where most MBCAs fail to translate from in vitro assays to real plant systems. Additional plant-associated LAB strains show complementary biocontrol and formulation traits, further expanding the technology’s potential. LAB-Protect focuses on de-risking and strengthening the innovation potential of this technology. Specifically, we will (i) substantiate the strain’s previously observed in silico safety profile through, among others, targeted cell-line experiments and consulting with the European responsible authorities to support fast-track regulation, (ii) elucidate the mode of action underlying its potent antipathogenic activity and identify the chemical structure of the bioactive metabolite responsible, and (iii) scale up and validate in planta efficacy in additional crop-pathogen systems to demonstrate multi-crop applicability. These activities will elevate the technology beyond its current proof-of-concept stage, reinforce IP positioning, and attract industrial capital. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a differentiated, patent-protected biocontrol product and secure commercial deployment through a spin-off or licensing partnership.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture agronomy plant protection
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry organic acids
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.