2024-11-10 04:30:00
Over the past two decades, Argentina has stood out in Latin America for its development in the biotech sector.which involves the application of science and technology to living organisms or their components to produce products, processes or services useful to society. This impulse was reflected in the “Ideological Migration” conference organized by the Barcelo Foundation. It took place in Bariloche on November 2 last year.
As an exhibitor, this includes Researchers begin to make basic scientific discoveries and continue to achieve tremendous developments that have social, scientific, and economic value.
One of the speakers was María Eugenia Farías, a biologist specializing in environmental microbiology, talks about her journey that led her to become the founder of PUNA Bio, a new startup dedicated to regenerative agriculture. By producing inoculants that increase yields, reduce carbon emissions and restore degraded soils.
“We are made of stardust,” he said, describing his work on stromatolites, microorganisms that can survive extreme conditions such as high temperatures and are considered “extremophiles.”
In 2009, while working as a researcher at CONICET, Farias discovered that there was still an ecosystem of this living microorganism in the Puna region of Argentina. After 15 years of research and leading a campaign to protect microbes, he and his team discovered that microbes can be used as crop fertilizers. This is how he started the company that is now a world pioneer.
Federico Ariel develops RNA-based technology to enable agriculture to use fewer toxic products“We saw that conservation is economics: proving that protecting them can be economically profitable. That’s how the transformation happened,” he said. He explained: “Extremophilic microorganisms are isolated in the laboratory, selected, transferred to the greenhouse and then to the field, and the best ones are returned to the laboratory for biopreparation.” They have currently launched soybeans and wheat on the market Two products.
He also spoke during the Bariloche meeting Federico Ariel, who won the UNESCO Alforzan Foundation International Prize last year Dedicated to young researchers. At the Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Coast State University in Reliance on Conicet and the National University of the Coast, Dr. Ariel conducted pioneering research that deepened the understanding of the role of long non-coding RNAs in plants. To advance his work, the scientist also created a new startup company called APOLO Biotech with collaborators.
It is supported by CONICET. On this basis, it develops RNA-based crop technology using methods that do not contain genetically modified organisms. In this way we seek to increase productivity and make the most of the diversity of local species. “We must support basic science,” Ariel said, emphasizing the need for countries to support research through subsidies.
Hugo Menzella co-founded several biotech companies in Rosarioat the same time, Hugo Menzella details his journey from underachieving student to scientist.Or he could lead a Conicet institute and create several companies. He specializes in synthetic biology and process engineering. He is the director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Chemical Processing in Rosario and founded Keclon, which is dedicated to the development and commercialization of enzymes, focusing on the edible oil, food, biodiesel and animal nutrition industries.
For example, they have successfully improved the production performance of biodiesel and soybean oil through their company.
In addition, he also said that he has established 10 new start-up companies, applied for 34 international patents, invested US$27 million in private investment, and created more than 100 job opportunities. “All countries that have escaped poverty in the past 40 years have done so through the development of technology. Argentina has science of the highest quality, but our technological production is far from what is expected of its scientific production. Because of the high demand, this is a Great historical moment,” Menzera said.
Dr. Carlos Barcelo, executive chairman of the foundation that organized the conference, also gave a speech, in which he referred to a story by the writer Jorge Luis Borges to reflect on the importance of scientific knowledge exploration. and an essential leap forward in developing technology.
“When you understand, you feel very happy. It’s like scoring a goal in the final. Some people are not happy with it and when they understand they want to go further and offer something to society, which is technology, ” he said. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of public universities for those who want to pursue a career in biotechnology.
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H enzyme technology. Menzella emphasized the importance of biotechnology in enhancing agricultural sustainability and efficiency.
“Biotechnology is about finding clever ways to manipulate biological systems to create value,” he stated. By harnessing the power of enzymes, he and his team aim to provide environmentally friendly solutions that can reduce waste and improve resource utilization.
The contributions of these scientists underline a critical shift towards innovative practices in agriculture, driven by research and the application of new technologies. As Argentina strives to enhance its agricultural output while ensuring environmental sustainability, the work of experts like María Eugenia Farías and Federico Ariel highlights the potential of science and technology to redefine traditional farming practices.
the presentations at the conference reflected a growing recognition of the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address global challenges in food security, sustainability, and climate change, relying on the synergy between basic research and its applications in real-world scenarios.
As these pioneering scientists continue to push the boundaries of agricultural biotechnology, their stories serve as an inspiration for future generations to embrace scientific exploration, innovation, and sustainability.