How plants and fungi offer solutions to the Societal challenges
On Thursday 4 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café was organised in the 'green pearl' of the science park: the Botanical Gardens.
The topic was fitting for the location, as this time the café was on the theme of unique scientific research on plants and fungi, which can offer solutions to societal challenges such as climate change and improving the food chain.
Fenna van Charldorp - Hanraets (operational director Botanical Gardens) and Jan Henk van der Velden (managing director Utrecht Science Park Foundation) started with a short opening and welcome speech.
Afterwards, Dr Roeland Berendsen (researcher Plant-Microbe Interactions and managing director NPEC Utrecht) explained how research is conducted into plant characteristics with the aim of developing stronger crops that are more resistant to climate change, for example. NPEC is a unique high-tech plant lab with state-of-the-art robots, laser scanners and climate rooms where plant development can be monitored.
Next, Dr Jan Dijksterhuis (senior scientist at Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute) took us through the beauty of rotting fruits and vegetables. With beautiful visuals, he illustrated how each fungus has its own character and thus unique effects on fruit and vegetables. The Westerdijk Institute has one of the world's largest collections of living fungi.
After the programme, it was time to chat while enjoying live music, drinks and, of course, the beautiful green surroundings. The Botanical Gardens is developing rapidly, with for example, the creation of the Evolution Garden and the Arboretum Park.
It is great to see how these unique research institutes at the Utrecht Science Park are working towards a healthy, sustainable society.
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