FGen AG, a Ginkgo Bioworks Subsidiary, Secures Funding for Pioneering Sustainable Milk Protein Production Project
Source: The DairyNews
A subsidiary of Ginkgo Bioworks, has been granted funding through the European Innovation Council's Pathfinder Challenge program for a groundbreaking project named HYDROCOW.
The international research consortium, led by Finnish food tech innovator Solar Foods and including partners such as the University of Groningen and RWTH Aachen University, aims to revolutionize milk protein production using only carbon dioxide and electricity.
FGen AG will contribute by focusing on ultra-high throughput screening of hydrogen oxidizing bacteria (JOB) engineered to convert CO2 into beta-lactoglobulin, a key whey protein found in cow's milk.
The project, with a €5.5 million budget over four years, seeks to establish sustainable bioproduction methods directly from CO2, offering an alternative to traditional agriculture and reducing environmental impact.
"The EIC supports the HYDROCOW project in its pursuit to develop sustainable bioproduction methods directly from CO2 and nitrogen compounds," said EIC Project Officer Olivier Dahon. "EIC is supporting scientific innovation through our portfolio approach for funding research projects under the Pathfinder Challenge: 'Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Management and Valorisation.' Bringing precision fermentation for sustainable food ingredients from the lab to the market is considered critical for the achievement of the EU Green Deal. Success in this area can provide the technological basis to contribute to a sustainable development of our society," said EIC Program Manager Francesco Matteucci.
FGen AG will contribute by focusing on ultra-high throughput screening of hydrogen oxidizing bacteria (JOB) engineered to convert CO2 into beta-lactoglobulin, a key whey protein found in cow's milk.
The project, with a €5.5 million budget over four years, seeks to establish sustainable bioproduction methods directly from CO2, offering an alternative to traditional agriculture and reducing environmental impact.
"The EIC supports the HYDROCOW project in its pursuit to develop sustainable bioproduction methods directly from CO2 and nitrogen compounds," said EIC Project Officer Olivier Dahon. "EIC is supporting scientific innovation through our portfolio approach for funding research projects under the Pathfinder Challenge: 'Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen Management and Valorisation.' Bringing precision fermentation for sustainable food ingredients from the lab to the market is considered critical for the achievement of the EU Green Deal. Success in this area can provide the technological basis to contribute to a sustainable development of our society," said EIC Program Manager Francesco Matteucci.
