SciTech Europa Quarterly

256 Pages·2019·47.983 MB·English

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September 2019 • Issue 32 • www.scitecheuropa.eu
Bioeconomy in the EU
Exploring innovative solutions to rural challenges
Willem Jonker: Professor Mark Ferguson: Xavier Barcons:
EIT Digital’s CEO shares his views Head of the EIC’s advisory board DG of the ESO speaks about new
on the core challenges facing shares his plans for boosting beginnings between ESO and the
03 16 26
European innovation European innovation Cherenkov Telescope Array
From
The institute IWH belongs to the Bern
University of applied sciences, Bern,
Switzerland. The institute has a unique
wood
concentration of competencies, covering the
fields of composite materials, furniture,
surface treatment, wood modification,
chemistry
adhesive technology, polymer chemistry,
wood chemistry, and material emission.
With the wide expertise, we develop and
to
optimise innovative and sustainable materials
for the timber and construction industries,
supporting you from the initial idea through to
innovative
the finished, marketable product.
These products and materials are sourced
from bio-based materials such as wood and
wood
other renewable raw materials. We use our
extensive knowledge of these raw materials
to help us find innovative new uses for
products
them. In our development, we place
particular emphasis on process reliability
and product quality.
Professor Frederic Pichelin
Institute for Materials and Wood Technology
Bern University of Applied Sciences
[phone]
[email protected]
www.bfh.ch/en/research/contact.html
FOREWORD
Willem Jonker
Chief Executive Officer
EIT Digital
T
he digital world is currently dominated fragmentation of the market and venture capital. In the last 10 years, we have grown from a small
by US and Asian players; and Europe However, we should also focus on building organisation in five locations with 30 partners, to
must step up. We had a strong position a deeper understanding of European an organisation in 18 locations with more than
in the past, but lately others have jumped more multinationals. Industries should start to realise 250 partners who understand this ecosystem and
eagerly on the opportunities offered by the digital the value of investing now in concepts which will are willing to give back in some sense. Many
world. We have the technology, talent and become big in the future – even large corporates European locations see a lot of interest in
education systems necessary to be a prominent need greater education to really understand the entrepreneurship, as being an entrepreneur is
player in the digital world; but others have been enormous influence of data and digital really supported.
more proactive in seizing these opportunities.
technologies on their businesses.
The only thing which causes slight concern is
We do have the technologies in our labs to bring
The other big challenge facing Europe is talent. talent, because although the supply of talent is
new technologies to market. However, we don't
We have a lot of talent at our universities; growing, the demand is soaring; almost
have the infrastructure which others have built;
however, we still lack people in digital and STEM; everybody is recruiting data scientists. Sometimes
and innovation takes place in ecosystems. The
and we need to get more women interested in when we want to recruit students for temporary
big players in innovation can only exist with a
positions, it is very difficult to get them a work
tech and in digital. The real talent is displayed
flourishing ecosystem bringing them talent and
permit in some European countries. The growth
when students meet their talented peers; and
technology, which they can then absorb to
of the world population will be mostly outside
when they see good prospects for interesting and
strengthen their position; for example in the case
Europe and we will have to attract people from
meaningful jobs.
of Facebook buying Instagram – they didn't
other places of the world to keep our production
create it themselves; the ecosystem around them Personnel is a big challenge for two reasons. First,
– and also our quality of life – at the level that it
allowed them to buy and integrate it. people leaving education are disappointed that
is now.
Digital innovation is drastically different to more their career options are more limited than they
The above-mentioned topics will be discussed at
traditional research and development. The only expected; and secondly, young people are
our annual conference in Brussels on 10
issue is that in the digital world, certain processes motivated by doing something which adds
September. We will look at the pressing issues for
run a lot faster than offline: for example, the meaning to their life. Therefore, Europe should
the digital sector, alongside demonstrating
speed with which online platforms can grow into promote our balanced approach to technology
concrete solutions and amazing innovations with
real world players. The digital world allows this and its role in society, because that is a
great potential. People should be inspired by the
because there is no need for physical competitive advantage which does attract
conference; and we should show concretely the
infrastructure when the network is already there. talented people who want to work on a mission,
people in our ecosystem that are working on the
rather than only for financial reasons.
In terms of the regulations and policies which
innovation. The conference is a mix of global
benefit everybody in society, we are very much a In Europe we make sure the talent and startups programmes, where everybody is exposed to
leader. However, we have to restore the balance;
are there and we support them. At the same time, some inspiring thoughts, with plenty of scope to
because just shaping the future is not good
we influence policymakers and point them at the network and build community. People should not
enough – you also shape a lot by making.
bigger picture. We also address our industries and only get inspired; they should also get the sense
We have to value data much higher than we do identify to them where threats are, both in terms of belonging. It is not just about fun; it is
today. The focus at the moment is on the of technology and threats to business models. something meaningful.
www.scitecheuropa.eu SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 3
INTRODUCTION
Olivia Frost
Editor
SciTech Europa Quarterly
R
ecent editions of this publication have infrastructures and the inability to incorporate its approach of improving animal health and
opened with a reference to changes new, forward thinking tools into their livelihood. welfare worldwide; and the President of the
happening in Europe, from Brexit to Although intimidating to some, Artificial International Federation of Environmental Health
May's European Parliament election. This edition, Intelligence is starting to demonstrate its potential discusses the federation’s plans on tackling
however, begins with a change much closer to in broadening opportunities for farmers and climate change. Elsewhere Terri Klein, president
home; as this is my first edition of SciTech Europa enriching the rural bioeconomy. and CEO of the national MPS society, discusses
Quarterlyas editor. Although our previous editor
I welcome you to my first edition of SEQ, which is the genetic lysosomal storage diseases
Clifford Holt took good care of this publication
introduced by Willem Jonker, Chief Executive Mucopolysaccharidosis and Mucolipidosis.
over the past seven years, I look forward to
Officer of EIT Digital, discussing how we need to
stepping into his shoes and looking towards the The Environment & Sustainability section opens
start valuing data much higher that we do today
future of SEQ. with the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime
and how talent is changing the face of Europe.
Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, talking about
Growing up in a rural hamlet in the East of
The following Research & Development section how global action is needed to avoid an ecological
England has given me first-hand experience of
presents a special feature on Artificial Intelligence, crisis. Also in this section, the Executive Director
the struggle between merging the digital world
which includes material from Microsoft Global of the UK National Oceanography Centre,
and the rural world. Instead of fibre-optic
Sales, Black in AI, and Kortical. This section also Professor Edward Hill, discusses the
broadband, we had to make do with a satellite
features interviews with the CEO of the unprecedented changes that are taking place at
dish on the side of the house streaming internet
from Italy; and to this day, mobile phones are International Science Council, Heide Hackmann, the nexus of the ocean, climate and biodiversity.
useless unless connected to Wi-Fi. I mention this Director General, Xavier Barcons, of the European This section closes with a special feature on the
only to demonstrate how common but tiny digital Southern Observatory, Director General for the bioeconomy, which includes Laura Jalasjoki from
annoyances such as these are minuscule European Commission’s JRC, Vladimír Šucha, and the European Network for Rural Development
compared to those currently faced by farmers Lisa Ventura, Cyber Security Women of the Year giving an overview of the opportunities in the
across the rural areas of Europe. Awards 2019 ‘Supporter of the Year’. bioeconomy for rural development; acting Director
‘Bioeconomy’ not only refers to the production of The Health section begins with a focus on cancer, of the East and North Finland EU office Sointu
renewable biological resources, but also to with the clinical co-chair of the European Räisänen talking about her experience of
industries having strong innovation potential. Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer’s promoting forest-based bioeconomy in Finland;
Technology across rural Europe is sparse, with guidelines development group addressing some and the Regional Service for Agricultural and Agri-
even less funding and resources going into the of the current trends in breast cancer screening Food Economics’ Aurélia Barteau discussing the
development of a more technologically advanced and diagnosis technology. Later on in this section, importance of building a regional strategy to
bioeconomy. Farmers are left with outdated the World Organisation for Animal Health shares promote rural bioeconomy.
4 SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 www.scitecheuropa.eu
CONTENTS
32 THE FUTURE OF SPACE
CONTENTS
RESEARCH & EXPLORATION:
14
COLLABORATION
DEVELOPMENT
OR COMPETITION?
Can we reach a point where the frictions on
earth will not be transferred to space?
34 PROFILE:
Luxembourg is the European focal point for
the ‘new’ space industry – the next
generation of space technologies
36 OPEN SOURCE: THE
NEW FRONTIER FOR
SPACE EXPLORATION
14
Advances in AI-driven scientific research have
the potential to propel us forwards and take
advantage of human knowledge and
expertise while machines handle the
processes traditionally managed by engineers
38 PROFILE:
03 FOREWORD
Fairspectrum is developing Dynamic
© iStock/solarseven Spectrum Access (DSA) system for
14 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT satellite communications, which will be
Willem Jonker, Chief Executive Officer of EIT
Digital, shares his views on the core challenges SEQprovides a brief overview of the content able to share radio spectrum with
for European innovation, and how pan-European to be found in the following Research & terrestrial communications
ecosystems can help overcome existing barriers Development section
16 THE EIC – BOOSTING
EUROPEAN INNOVATION
SEQspeaks with the head of the European
Innovation Council’s (EIC) advisory board,
Professor Mark Ferguson, about his hopes
for how the EIC will function and what he
hopes it will achieve
20 GLOBAL COLLABORATION 40
THE INTERNATIONAL
SCIENCE COUNCIL
CEO of the International Science Council,
Heide Hackmann, discusses how today’s
global challenges require new and
innovative collaboration methods
22 PROFILE:
Sound public policies and a tradition of good
© iStock/7activestudio
higher education and research institutes
04 INTRODUCTION 40 WHITE DWARFS AND
make the State of São Paulo, in Brazil, an
STELLAR EVOLUTION
international centre for research
Professor Boris Gänsicke, from the
SciTech Europa Quarterly provides a brief 26 SPACE & PHYSICS Department of Physics at the University of
EUROPEAN SOUTHERN
overview of the content to be found in the OBSERVATORY MEETS Warwick, UK, met with SEQat NAM 2019
following Research & Development section THE CHERENKOV to discuss evolved planetary systems
TELESCOPE ARRAY
around white dwarfs
10 NEWSDESK European Southern Observatory’s Director
44 PROFILE:
General, Xavier Barcons, speaks to SEQabout
When it comes to nuclear physics, there is
new beginnings between the observatory and
Scitecheuropa.eu showcases the news stories still a lot it has to offer. Prof Sonia Bacca takes
the Cherenkov Telescope Array
that have dominated European science and a look at the heart of atoms: the nucleus
28 INVESTIGATING THE
technology in recent months EARLY UNIVERSE 46 SPECIAL FEATURE:
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Professor Nial Tanvir, who is involved in the DELIVERING SOCIAL
12 CALLS TRACKER
proposed ESA M5 mission THESEUS, met CHANGE WITH AI
with SEQ AT NAM2019 to discuss how Artificial Intelligence and the sustainable
SEQhighlights a selection of Horizon 2020 Calls gamma-ray bursts can be used to development goals: delivering social change
for Proposals with deadlines in the coming months investigate the early Universe with AI
www.scitecheuropa.eu SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 5
CONTENTS
48 NARROWING THE GAPS 62 PROFILE: 80 PROFILE:
BETWEEN DIGITAL SKILLS
Researchers in nanoscience need to If data could be gathered more often at a
Executive vice president for Microsoft Global exploit more of the methods and tools lower cost, bioprocesses would be able to
Sales, Jean-Phillipe Courtois, delivers a available to them operate at near optimum efficiency
keynote at the AI for Good global summit 64 BIOINSPIRED MATERIALS: 82 BIOACTIVE GLASSES: FROM
about the opportunity of AI FROM EVOLUTION TO BONE REGENERATION TO
INNOVATION WOUND HEALING
50 BLACK IN AI –
RESEARCHERS CAN’T Scientists and researchers are increasingly SciTech Europa Quarterlyspeaks to Prof
IGNORE SOCIAL drawing inspiration from the natural world Aldo Boccaccini - the man behind the
STRUCTURE PROBLEMS
to develop new materials with an array of research study trying to understand
Co-founder of ‘Black in AI’, Timnit Gebru innovative properties how the bioactive glass can promote
spoke at the AI for Good Global Summit 66 PROFILE: wound heeling
about the methods and challenges
The H2020 Innovative Training Network 84 PROFILE:
associated with transparency in AI
BioSmartTrainee educates a new generation New promising technologies and treatment
52 THE UNEXPLORED of professionals in the field of smart methods using antibacterial bioactive glass
FRONTIER: THE SHELL
adhesive materials for bone infection and bone reconstruction
OCEAN DISCOVERY XPRIZE
FOR MAPPING THE 68 PUTTING A SPIN ON 86 ENERGY &
SEA FLOOR ORGANIC SEMICONDUCTORS ENERGY STORAGE
THE UK AND THE RACE
The Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE is a Currently receiving substantial attention,
TO ELECTRIFICATION
global competition which challenges teams organic semiconductors are increasing
The Faraday Institution supports research,
commercial momentum, here SEQ delve
to create technology solutions to map the
training, and analysis of electrochemical
sea floor in high resolution. SciTech Europa further into the world of the evolving material
energy storage science and technology
Quarterlyspoke to XPRIZE leader Dr. Jyotika 70 PROFILE:
90 ADVANCED LEAD
Virmani to find out more Toshihiro Okamoto discusses his research BATTERIES: THINKING
groups findings in developing organic OUTSIDE THE BOX
semiconducting materials Lead batteries provide over 70% of the
world’s rechargeable energy storage. Meet
the research organisation promoting
innovation in lead batteries for both energy
storage and automotive applications
92 PROFILE:
54 Dr. Carlos Ziebert, head of the Calorimeter
74
Center at the Institute of Applied Materials
– Applied Materials Physics, outlines how
heat flux sensors can help in advancing
thermal management of cells
94 ELECTROCHEMISTRY;
MEET THE LEADER OF
THE RESISTANCE
© iStock/gremlin © iStock/Denisfilm
Executive director of the Electrochemical
54 AI AND BIG DATA; DRIVING 74 THE DEMAND FOR CRITICAL
ENTERPRISE USING RAW MATERIALS Society, Christopher Jannuzzi, explains the
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES CONTINUES core mission behind the society
We must demystify AI – it is important to the Director-General for the European 96 PROFILE:
educate the public and drive digital upskilling Commission’s JRC, Vladimír Šucha, explains Aurelius environmental is revolutionising the
56 THE FUTURE OF AI the role the European Innovation waste management and recycling industry
Co-founder and CEO, Andy Gray, of Kortical Partnership on Raw Materials plays in the for both consumers and suppliers through
speaks to SEQ about how Artificial development of raw materials in Europe innovative technologies
Intelligence is changing the business world 76 PROFILE: 98 SOLARPOWER EUROPE
and saving lives Prof Dr. Frédéric Pichelin from the Bern CEO of Solar Power Europe, Walburga
60 MATERIALS & University of Applied Sciences, explains the Hemetsberger, explains how by 2030 solar
NANOSCIENCE
reasons behind why his research group power will be Europe’s most used
LED INTO GOLD:
DEVELOPMENTS are trying to improve the fire resistance energy source
IN NANOSCIENCE of wood 100 TRANSFORMING DATA-
SEQtake a look at the field of nanomaterial, 78 INDUSTRIAL DRIVEN ENERGY
and how they have produced a range of BIOTECHNOLOGY Intertrust invents technologies for digital
practical developments, with potential Studies continue to highlight the numerous security and data privacy. CEO, Talal
applications from lighting to 3D printing to benefits to farmers and consumers of using Shamoon, speaks to SEQ about how
medical diagnosis biotechnology solutions Intertrust can help change the energy space
6 SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 www.scitecheuropa.eu
CONTENTS
102 QUANTUM 118 PROFILE:
TECHNOLOGIES
Researchers at Greehey Children’s Cancer
QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
Research Institute (Greehey CCRI) have
– UK RESEARCH
AND INNOVATION contributed more novel therapies in
Challenge director for Quantum paediatric national and international trials
Technologies at UKRI, talks to SEQabout the than most groups in the US
Industrial Strategy Challenge fund 120 EUROPEAN WEEK AGAINST
CANCER: ADVANCING DRUG
106 CYBER SECURITY
DELIVERY TO TREAT CANCER
cybHER SECURITY
Dr Robert Langer, the first person to 134
Meet the woman at the forefront of
engineer polymers to advance drug delivery,
cybersecurity in the UK – Lisa Ventura,
speaks to SEQ about treating many
Cyber Security Women of the Year Awards
diseases such as cancer
2019 ‘supporter of the year’
122 PROFILE:
108 HEALTH Professor Andrew Biankin from the
University of Glasgow explains how Glasgow
has become a centre of excellence for
© iStock/designer491
precision oncology research in the UK
134 ONE HEALTH &
ANIMAL HEALTH
ONE HEALTH, ONE
WELFARE, ONE PLANET
Joann Lindenmayer discusses how the One
108 Health Commission are a globally focused
organisation dedicated to promoting
improved health of people, domestic
126
animals, wildlife, plants and the environment
138 ANIMAL DISEASES KNOW
NO BOARDERS
© iStock/Design Cells The World Organisation for Animal Health is
an intergovernmental organisation improving
108 HEALTH CHECK
animal health and welfare worldwide
As an introduction to the ‘Health’ section,
© iStock/Jolygon
140 NEUROSCIENCE
SEQruns through what can be found in the
126 VASCULAR SURGERY FACING THE GLOBAL
following pages REPRESENTING VASCULAR CHALLENGE OF
110 CANCER SURGEONS IN THE UK NEURODEGENERATIVE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND IRELAND DISORDERS
INITIATIVE ON BREAST President of the Vascular Society of Great The EU Joint Programme –
CANCER – THE GUIDELINES
Britain and Ireland, Ian Loftus, speaks to Neurodegenerative Disease Research
DEVELOPMENT GROUP
SEQabout the work they do for non-cardiac (JPND), launches an updated Research and
The Guidelines Development Group (GDG)
vascular diseases Innovation Strategy
is one of the working groups on the
128 DIGITAL HEALTH 144 PROFILE:
European Commission Initiative on Breast
OPTIMISING INNOVATION
Meet the Italian company that are
Cancer (ECIBIC). SEQ speaks with GDG PATHWAYS: FUTURE
PROOFING FOR SUCCESS developing small molecule therapeutics to
clinical co-chair Dr Axel Gräwingholt
promote remyelination
112 PROFILE: The EIT Health Think Tank Chair, Finn
Børlum Kristensen speaks to SEQabout the 146 PROFILE:
Although physical activity is deemed safe
forum where experts and thought leaders A study in Japan finds that there still remains
during cancer treatment, many children with
work together in shaping the future of unidentified genes for hereditary diseases
cancer require additional assistance with
healthcare in Europe and that molecular etiologies for the majority
staying active
130 PROFILE: of patients with sporadic neurological
114 HISTORY, PRINCIPLES AND
diseases remain to be elucidated
LEGACY OF EUROPEAN Meet the smartphone application for a
PAEDIATRIC ASSOCIATION, personalised approach to diabetic eye 148 PUBLIC &
THE UNION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
disease – the Retina Risk app
NATIONAL EUROPEAN THE INTERNATIONAL
PAEDIATRIC SOCIETIES 132 PROFILE: FEDERATION OF
AND ASSOCIATIONS Kara is an online office and business ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(EPA-UNEPSA) platform for specialists in health and President of the International Federation of
The mission of EPA-UNEPSA is to provide a education that aims to modernise the way Environmental Health, Selva Mudaly, speaks
common platform for all general in which specialists connect to clients and to SEQabout how the IFEH plan on tackling
paediatricians in Europe conduct themselves in a digital age climate change, amongst other projects
www.scitecheuropa.eu SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 7
CONTENTS
172 THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY
OF CARDIOLOGY
Prof Martin Cowie, chairman of the Digital
Health Committee for the European Society
of Cardiology speaks to SEQabout Europe’s
biggest killer, cardiovascular disease
174 PROFILE:
New studies have found that death rates
152
due to pollution are much higher than 192
previously thought
176 PROMOTING GLOBAL
HEALTH
SEQtakes a look at the three new narratives
for health promotion proposed by the World
Health Organization
© iStock/Christoph Burgstedt
178 PROFILE:
152 THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT The Circle of Health: the journey from
ANTI-INFLUENZA DRUG © iStock/Greyfebruary
behind the scenes of growing local to global
Stephen Cusack started to work on influenza impact in health promotion 192 PEROXISOMES: VITAL FOR
polymerase more than 20 years ago. SEQ CELLULAR PROCESSES
182 SAFETY FIRST: FOOD
speaks with Cusack about the Cusack STANDARDS IN Having a deeper understanding of
research group and their latest findings AN INCREASINGLY peroxisomes can help move our
GLOBALISED WORLD
154 INFORMING THE WORLD understanding of immunity forward
ABOUT INFLUENZA As trade becomes ever more globalised it
194 PROFILE:
is important that food safety standards
The International Society for Influenza and
Peroxisomes, an oxidative organelles, has
are enforced
other Respiratory Virus Diseases, speaks to
been found be essential for human health
SEQ about the importance of working
and development
together towards a single goal of disease
196 LIFE SCIENCES
prevention and control ADVANCING PATIENT CARE
158 THE THREAT OF THROUGH INNOVATIVE
ANTIMICROBIAL ORTHOPAEDICS
RESISTANCE Director of the AO Research Institute Davos,
Directorate General for Health and Food Prof Geoff Richards speaks to SEQabout
Safety for the European Commission, John some of the up and coming projects
Ryan, is also co-chair of TATFAR. Ryan surrounding innovative orthopaedic
186
speaks to SEQ about how antibiotics are research and development
posing as a threat to antimicrobials 200PROFILE:
162 PROFILE: An increasing elderly population is in need
Novel disruptive antimicrobial susceptibility for better solutions for the repair or
tests (< 2 hours) sets the bar higher for replacement of joints
improved patient outcomes by allowing 202THE ALLIANCE FOR
selection of cost effective and highest REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
sensitivity antibiotics - first to allow rapid Meet the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
and appropriate treatment – the international advocate for gene
164 EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF 186 RARE DISEASES & therapy, cell therapy, & tissue engineering
NURSES ASSOCIATIONS UNIQUE CONDITIONS 204STEM CELL THERAPY FOR
The European Federation of Nurses THE NATIONAL MPS ANIMALS HAS
Associations speaks to SEQabout tackling SOCIETY – SUPPORTING SEEN BREAKTHROUGH
FAMILIES AND
Europe’s aging population Stem cell therapy is increasingly becoming
RESEARCHING FOR CURES
a more common form of medicine, and
166 PROFILE:
The National MPS Society looks at the animals are benefitting too
A cohort study in Hong Kong, takes a look
genetic lysosomal storage diseases 206BEYOND BETTER BONES
at how physical activity really interacts with
Mucopolysaccharidosis and Mucolipidosis.
physical fitness The Royal Osteoporosis Society speaks to
SEQtalks to President and CEO, Terri L. Klein SciTech Europa Quarterlyabout finding a
168 EMBRACING POPULATION
AGEING 190 PROFILE: cure for osteoporosis
Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Exploring Mucopolysaccharide storage 208PROFILE:
Ageing, George Leeson, talks about the disorders (MPS) and therapies over the last The citrus fruit ‘yuzu’ has been found by
reasons behind the UK’s population ageing one hundred years researchers to help improve bone health
8 SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 www.scitecheuropa.eu
CONTENTS
244PROFILE:
ENVIRONMENT &
210 GrainSense has developed the world’s
SUSTAINABILITY
first hand-held device for grain
quality measurement
246PROFILE:
Dr Jasmeet Kaler, University of Nottingham,
226
UK discusses her research of her group in
developing machine learning algorithms for
210 livestock health and welfare
248SPECIAL FEATURE:
THE BIOECONOMY
BIOECONOMY IS AN
© iStock/Petmal
OPPORTUNITY FOR
RURAL EUROPE
226GREEN CHEMISTRY
© iStock/urfinguss
GOING BEYOND From the European Network for Rural
210 WELCOME TO ‘TRADITIONAL’ CHEMISTRY
Development, Laura Jalasjoki outlines the
ENVIRONMENT AND
SUSTAINABILITY The SusChem European Technology opportunities in bioeconomy for rural
Platform advises public authorities on
As an introduction to the ‘Environment & development, as well as the policy context
Sustainability’ section, SciTech Europa research and innovation priorities for around rural bioeconomy in the EU
Quarterlyruns through what can be found sustainable chemistry 250DEVELOPING BIO
in the following pages 228PROFILE: ECONOMY VALUE CHAINS
212 MARITIME & THE Subcritical water is an innovative way of IN RURAL AREAS
MARINE ENVIRONMENT using a single green solvent for the Hans Jørgen Jensen, from LAG-Bornholm,
GEARING UP FOR GREATER valorisation of biomass speaks to SciTech Europa Quarterlyabout
GLOBAL AND EU EFFORTS
IN THE FIGHT AGAINST 230OPEN DATA – AVAILABLE, the successful local initiatives to shift from
BIODIVERSITY LOSS ACCESSIBLE AND USEABLE imported agricultural inputs to local and
Commissioner for Environment, Maritime The Global Open Data for Agriculture & bio-based economy on the Bornholm island
Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella Nutrition (GODAN) promotes the sharing of in Denmark
discusses the global action that is needed Open Data for both agriculture and nutrition 252EAST & NORTH FINLAND –
to avoid ecological crisis 234 EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT A FOREST-BASED
214 A NEW DECADE OF DAYS: QUEEN OF BELGIUM BIOECONOMY
SPEAKS ON AGENDA 2030
OCEAN SCIENCE Sointu Räisänen, from the East & North
The overarching theme of the United
Executive Director, Prof Edward Hill, from Finland EU Office, discusses the promotion
Nations Agenda for Sustainable
the UK National Oceanography Centre talks behind the forest-based bioeconomy in
Development is to enable everyone to live
about the issues the ocean is facing North Karelia, Finland
in dignity and free from fear
216 THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
254 A REGIONAL BIOECONOMY
236THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
OF LONDON
STRATEGY IN GRAND EST
HOW THE PLASTICS
Serving science, profession and society. INDUSTRY CAN PLAY A REGION IN FRANCE
President of the GSL, Nick Rogers, spoke to KEY ROLE IN THE Deputy chief of the Regional Service for
SEQabout the importance of diversity and CIRCULAR ECONOMY Agricultural and Agri-Food Economics,
equality in geosciences VinylPlus, the Voluntary Commitment of
talks about the elements of the Regional
218 PROFILE: the European PVC industry, recycled nearly
Bioeconomy strategy of the Grand
740,000 tonnes of PVC in 2018; a 15.6%
Investigations Offshore Iberia are providing Est region in France, and the role of
increase from 2017. The results are
us with a new insight on great European different value chains in promoting the
published in the 2019 Progress Report
earthquakes with implications for the Earth’s
regional economy
238 PROFILE:
long cycles
220€1.6M FUNDING FOR How one Finnish company is setting a
RESEARCH ON SOLUTIONS new standard with breakthrough
TO POOR SOIL AND WATER
patented technology
QUALITY
240THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
The government of Ontario will be investing RURAL EUROPE The editor does not necessarily agree with or endorse any of the views or contents of
the articles or features within this document or any external links contained therein.
€1.6M in the University of Guelph, Canada ANTIMICROBIALS AND All articles and editorials remain the copyright of the authors, organisations and other
agri-food research. This investment is SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE: rhealse vbaenetn a cuhtheocrkietides a nbdy iws hcoosrere kcitn adt ptheer mtimissei oonf gthoeinyg a troe prreepsrso.d Tuhcee dp.u Ablllis ihnefor rwmiall tnioont
WHY WE MUST BRING be responsible for any loss suffered directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or
intended for research on enhanced soil reliance on the information contained herein.
FARMERS BACK INTO
health and water quality THE PICTURE Please note: All articles marked ‘PROFILE:’ in the Contents are
advertising features
222PROFILE: Dr Camille Bellet, post-doctoral research Front cover designed by SciTech Europa: © iStock/DannyRM/MATJAZ SLANIC
Front cover images: Xavier Barcons © ESO/M. Zamani;
Could improving wastewater management associate from the University of Liverpool ISSN 2516-435X (Online) © SciTech Europa Quarterly, 2019
be the next public health revolution in speaks to SEQabout antimicrobials and the
Tel: [phone] [email protected]
Costa Rica? nature of the medicalisation of animal farming Fax: [phone] www.scitecheuropa.eu
www.scitecheuropa.eu SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 9
NEWSDESK
THE BIGGEST STORIES IN SCIENCE
FROM SCITECH EUROPA
With science considered such a major facet of the European Union’s hopes to develop the world’s leading
knowledge economy, it is no surprise that new developments and discoveries are being delivered on an almost
daily basis.
Some of the most noteworthy recent events include genome edited crops being sown for the first time in the UK
as part of an experimental trial in an effort to investigate genetic engineering’s efficiency in developing plants
for sustainable diets, the successful launch of NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy
and Heat Transport (InSight) mission which will study what lies deep beneath the surface of Mars, the
confirmation that muon neutrinos oscillate into tau-neutrinos, and the development of a new machine learning
tool that can detect whether emerging strains of the bacterium Salmonella are more likely to cause dangerous
bloodstream infections rather than food poisoning has been developed.
The following stories all appeared on our website: www.scitecheuropa.eu
THE ORIGIN OF varieties that were standardised by the
American Poultry Association founded in the
TODAY’S MEAT
early 1870s.
CHICKENS Since 1957 there has been two classifications
for farmed poultry; high weight selection (HWS)
Research conducted at Uppsala
and low weight selection (LWS). Both lines are
University, Sweden, The Livestock
considered representative of the White
Conservancy and Virginia Tech in
Plymouth Rock breed since the mid-20th
the USA have used genomics to study
century in the USA.
breed formation and the roots of modern After sequencing the DNA from HWS, LWS and
meat chickens. other breeds that are believed to have Dominique, Black Java and Cochin breeds
The mid-19th century was an era of revolution contributed to the development of the White contributed to the maternal ancestry, while
for poultry breeders. The newly imported Plymouth Rock breed. contributions on the male ancestry include
chickens from Asia were crosses with American The result of this research showed that an old Black Java, Cochin, Langshan, Light Brahman,
landrace chickens and various European American breed, the Dominique, was a major and Black Minorca.
breeds in order to establish new breeds and contributor to the White Plymouth Rock. 28 August 2019
THE LAST TWO
Sudan. A spokesperson stated: “The death of
this animal also has larger implications for
NORTHERN WHITE
rhinos and other wildlife species across the
RHINOS COULD globe and brings a tragic reminder that
systematic poaching that led to the demise of
STILL REPRODUCE
the northern white rhino in the first place is
The last two remaining northern continuing to decimate African rhinos across
white rhinos could soon produce the African continent. This is yet another wake-
calves thanks to artificial up call.”
insemination. The death of the last male Conservation scientists in Kenya successfully
northern white rhino, Sudan, in 2018 harvested 10 eggs from the world’s last two
was believed to have virtually left the northern white rhinos, Najin and Fatsu. The Saut. Scientists are now hoping the fertilised
species with no hope of progressing scientists were proud to say that seven out of eggs will create viable embryos which can be
another generation. the 10 eggs have since been matured and frozen and then later be transferred in to
The International Rhino Foundation have artificially inseminated with the frozen sperm surrogate mothers.
expressed great concerns after the death of from two northern white rhino bulls, Suni and 27 August 2019
10 SciTech Europa Quarterly 32 www.scitecheuropa.eu