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Innovation: "Multilevel biotechnological rewiring of photosynthesis for yield and biomass enhancement under climate change"
An innovation developed within the completed EU project PhotoBoost, coordinated by the Fraunhofer IME, has been featured in the European Commission's Innovation Radar Platform. For the innovation "Multilevel biotechnological rewiring of photosynthesis for yield and biomass enhancement under climate change", the platform identifies the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (FhG), as the Key Innovator, recognizing its leading contribution to the development of this breakthrough technology.
The Innovation Radar is a European Commission initiative that identifies high-potential innovations emerging from EU-funded research and highlights the organizations driving their development. The recognition underlines the long-term impact of PhotoBoost and demonstrates how collaborative European research can generate innovations with significant scientific, societal and economic potential.
PhotoBoost addressed the growing demand for food, feed and bioenergy crops by developing innovative strategies to improve the efficiency of plant photosynthesis. By combining complementary approaches in photosynthesis engineering, the project established a multilevel framework for enhancing crop productivity and resilience under changing climatic conditions. Focusing on two globally important staple crops, potato and rice, the project demonstrated yield increases of up to 42 percent in potato and 33 percent in rice under field-like conditions. Furthermore, by improving not only photosynthetic efficiency but also the transport, storage and utilization of sugars, potato yields increased by up to 65 percent under controlled conditions.
The results of PhotoBoost contribute directly to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15). By improving crop productivity, while promoting a more efficient use of natural resources, the project demonstrates how advanced plant biotechnology can contribute to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME
