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Can we engineer life? 4.8 Plant gene technology, the photosynthesis boost

Calvin cycle. Image: Wikipedia.

Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological processes on earth, if not the most important one: no life without photosynthesis! The Rubisco enzyme plays a key role in this process. But from the viewpoint of modern agricultural science, the photosynthesis process is far from perfect. So commentators devoted much hyperbolic praise on a publication

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on: 28 May 2019

Less input, more output and lower footprint through precision farming and digitalisation

Connected machines for smart farming. Image: CLAAS

The impact of the new technologies, such as robotics, drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing our food production system. Precision farming has shaken up a number of large companies to invest in the development of new solutions for future farming technologies. Which companies are part of this new wave and what technical products are

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on: 7 June 2018

Strongest biomaterial ever

Cellulose microfibre. Photo: Nitesh Mittal.

The strongest biomaterial ever has been assembled recently by Swedish, American and German researchers; it consists of cellulose, properly speaking of carefully parallel oriented cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The material is stronger than steel, even stronger than spider silk, regarded as the strongest biomaterial until recently.  Vanderwaals forces The team, headed by Nitesh Mittal, recently published

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on: 21 May 2018

Duchenne muscular dystrophy CRISPR cure: just for the rich and well-connected?

Structure of distrophyn, the absence of which in the muscles determines Duchenne's disease.

There’s always a time lag between the development of a new technology and a dawning awareness of its social impact. Then follows a debate among scientists, possibly followed by a public debate. This process starts by people asking difficult questions, as we are about to do on the Duchenne muscular dystrophy CRISPR cure. This technology,

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on: 28 May 2017

Ban neonics, or not, or something else

Honey bee. Photo: Paul Stein

In the first two columns in this series, I pictured the difficulties in establishing the truth on neonicotinoids (or neonics) and their effects on pollinating insects. The stakes are high. Neonics represent one third (in monetary value) of all insecticides sold globally. But NGOs have waged a war on them. Do we have to ban

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on: 15 May 2017

We proudly present… More with Less

We proudly present… More with Less

For us, April 21st was a day to remember. A month ahead of schedule we presented our new book: More with Less, welcome to the Precision Economy. The scene was a conference in Groningen where the latest results of modern research on carbohydrate chemistry were presented. A scene where the major players in the Dutch

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on: 6 May 2017

Nanocomposites, precision materials

Clay nanocomposite. Image: James Suter.

In nature, many materials excel in precision. They perform very precise tasks – and as researchers delve into their functions, they discover that complexity is at the bottom of this precision. Almost all natural materials are composites, intricate mixtures of pure compounds in order to arrive at the desired result. Nanocomposites are crude but effective

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on: 30 March 2017

Precision horticulture: what the consumer wants

Horticulturalists always look for new markets. Tomato trays can now be made from stems of the tomato plant.

Precision horticulture has evolved at great speed during the past decades. It will have a major influence on the world’s food supply, because of the quality and versatility of its produce. Modern greenhouses are closed, preventing the entrance of pests, and allowing total control of the interior climate. The air is enriched in CO2, in

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on: 18 March 2017

Precision, the hallmark of a new era

14 February 2017