Food system innovations and climate change - microbial game-changers

Microorganisms, though invisible to the naked eye, play a vital role in agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental sustainability. In this seminar we will present and discuss three food system game-changers that NMBU is working on. 

With our global food systems facing urgent challenges - from producing healthier, more sustainable plant- and animal-based foods to reducing greenhouse gas emissions - this seminar will uncover how tiny life forms hold the key to driving big changes in our food systems.

We welcome everyone— students, professionals and curious minds —to a full day of inspiring presentations and discussions.

Where: Litteraturhuset i Oslo

When: April 7th, from 9:00-16:00

Program

More updates to the program will come

In the morning session, speakers will explore how microbial innovations are transforming the food systems, culminating in an engaging panel discussion. 
The afternoon session offers a deeper dive into cutting-edge microbial technologies, including insights from the 3D-omics project, followed by an informal workshop.

9.00: General Session

• Introduction of the seminar 
• Keynote: Kim Viggo Weiby (Animalia) and Angela Schwarm (NMBU) - The how, what and why of Bovaer, a direct-acting methane inhibitor being fed to dairy cattle in Europe: How it was developed, what impact it can have, and why industry is using it. 
• Lars Bakken (NMBU) - Manipulating the soil microbiome for a better environment.
• Paula Varela Tomasco (Nofima, NMBU) - Consumer perspective: consumers attitudes towards cultured meat and precision fermentations, both produced with the use of microorganisms and GMO. 
• Christopher Snyder - NoMy

10.45: Break

11.00: Panel discussion 

• Paula Varela Tomasco (Nofima, NMBU)
• Kim Viggo Weiby (Animalia)
• Hanne Fjerdingby Olsen (NMBU)
• Harald Carlsen (NMBU)
• Ingrid Kleiva Møller (Fremtiden i våre hender)

Moderated by Andrew Kroglund

12.00: Lunsj 

12.45: Technical session 

• Sabina Leanti La Rosa (NMBU)- The need for high-resolution gut microbiome characterization for sustainable food production. 
• Elisabeth Hiis (NMBU)- Reducing farmland N2O emissions with carefully selected bacteria. 
• Live Hagen (NMBU)- Feeding methane-reducing seaweed to Norwegian dairy cattle: potential and pitfalls. 

14.45: Break

14.30: Informal Workshop 

16.00: End of seminar

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement number No. 101000309.