New breeding technologies for a climate resilient and eco-friendly agriculture

February 25, 2020Atelier 210 Brussels
New breeding tech robins choice
Doors open: 19:30
Start programme: 20:30
Atelier 210
Chaussée Saint-Pierre 210
Brussels

Professor of plant biology Dirk Inzé will kick off the first Science and cocktails in 2020 with his insights on the future of agriculture. How do new precision breeding technologies work and why are they pivotal for our future food security? Should we help improve agricultural productivity in less developed countries?

It seems obvious that we all have access to plenty of food, but at the world level this is a different story. Last year, less food was produced then is needed to feed the world population and this trend will continue in the coming years. After all, our world population will rise from 7.7 billion to 9.8 billion in 2050, while global warming negatively affects crop productivity, as witnessed in Belgium in 2018.

New approaches in food supply are a necessity. Not only do we need to spill less food and consume less meat, at the same time, we need to use novel technologies – among which the CRISPR breeding technique – to increase agricultural productivity. Europe better not miss this incredible opportunity for an eco-friendly, climate resilient and productive agriculture. Professor Dirk Inzé, one of the world's leading experts on plant biology, explains how scientific innovations can safeguard worldwide food supply.

After the talk, we dip our roots in homemade smoking cocktails and shake our leaves to Wonky Clock. This eclectic duo combines the best and most memorable classical tunes on the flute with groovy beats and electronics. It's dub, it's hiphop, it's a classical flute concert all at the same time.

Plants

Dirk Inzé

New breeding technologies for a climate resilient and eco-friendly agriculture

How can we feed the world? Will we be able to feed 9.8 billion people in 2050? How will climate change affect global food security? Can agriculture become more eco-friendly while maintaining high productivity?

Live drawings

During the event, Dominika Šulcová created live drawings of the talk by Dirk Inzé. Follow the link to see them all!

Inze2

talk by

Dirk Inzé

Molecular biologist and professor at Ghent University. His research interest is on the molecular networks underpinning yield and organ growth in plants. He is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). He was recipient of the 1994 Körber European Science Prize. In 2005, he was awarded the Francqui Prize on Biological and Medical Sciences for his research on plant systems biology. In 2017, he received the prestigious World Agriculture Prize. Dirk Inzé is Research Director of the VIB (Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie).

Dirk Inze

music by

Wonky Clock

Wonky Clock is the unlikely meeting between classical and electronic music. In concert, the duo (flute and machine) create a very peculiar universe, somewhere between smoky dub atmospheres, aggressive hiphop energy and the refined sounds of the Belle Epoque.

Wonky Clock