European Union grants €2m to biotechnology research project
BioXplore project will identify plants containing compounds that may be valuable in pharma products
The Joint Management Authority of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI CBC MED programme) has awarded a contract of up to €2m for a biotechnology research project, directed by Hadassah College in Jerusalem.
The BioXplore project will be implemented in partnership with the Biodiversity and Environmental Research Centre of the Palestinian Authority, Leitat Technological Centre in Spain, and the Hellenic Regional Development Centre in Greece. Two US-based universities, Rutgers University, New Jersey and the North Carolina State University, will also participate.
Prof Bertold Fridlender, director of Hadassah College's biotechnology department, said the goal of the project is to identify endemic plants from the Mediterranean area, which contain compounds that may be valuable for pharmaceutical products, food additives, cosmetics and others. This collaborative research will promote social and financial developments in the Mediterranean Sea Basin Area.
As part of the Bio-Xplore project, a Mediterranean branch of the Global Institute for Bio-Exploration (GIBEX-MED) will be created. The GIBEX centres are currently active in Africa, the US and Asia, and aim to initiate and support international joint research and development activities. These activities promote the development of biological products based on natural resources endemic to each of the partnering countries. The products are focused on achieving health and environmental targets in developing countries.
