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Sustainable bio-energy and biobased products

The use of fossil resources, like coal and petrol, results in a net increase of atmospheric CO₂, which reinforces climate change. Plants have the unique ability to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and convert it into biomass.

Climate resilient crops

Climate change is one of the most serious threats humanity has ever faced. Developing crops more tolerant to rapidly changing and more severe environments, e.g. water shortage and elevated temperatures, will be crucial for tomorrow’s food production.

Innovative crop care

Crops are under continuous threats, which hypothecate food production. Innovative solutions that optimize crop productivity and quality with a minimal impact on the environment are needed.

Plant diversity

Nature has provided us with a wealth of plant species that have learnt to cope with harsh environments. Genetic variation as a driver for this diversity can lead us to solutions for plant production in a changing environment.

Plants and human health

Food has a great impact on our health and the prevention of disease. In a society where food is abundant, health depends on a balanced diet.

CRISPR-Cas

Plant breeding began thousands of years ago when mankind selected better quality plants for a safe and reliable food supply. Nowadays, plant breeders need access to different tools to quickly develop new crop varieties that can deal with drought conditions and disease outbreaks that are aggravated by climate change. Learn more about plant breeding and scientific innovations here in English and in Dutch. You can also read more about genome editing in the VIB brochure "CRISPR-Cas" in English or in Dutch.