On 23 January 2025, the BIOSHIELD hybrid workshop on Climate Change and Biotechnology took place in Alexandroupolis, hosted by the Democritus University of Thrace. This impactful event brought together a vibrant mix of participants from academia, industry, and the student community, fostering an inspiring forum for collaboration and innovation.
The workshop participants worked on how biotechnology can help tackle the complex challenges posed by climate change—placing a strong emphasis on developing an innovative, future-ready curriculum. Discussions drew on insights from University Professors, Biotech professionals, and early-career researchers, covering a wide range of topics from advanced research to real-world applications.
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Gene-editing technologies
• Microbial biofertilizers
• Data science and AI in biotech innovation
TA major outcome of the workshop was the co-design of a new module:
This module addresses two critical problem areas:
• Advancing Cultured Meat as a sustainable solution to climate change
• Microbiome-Based Strategies for sustainable manufacturing in the starter culture
industry, using a circular economy approach
Workshop participants aligned on several core directions for the BIOSHIELD curriculum:
• Courses focused on climate-resilient biotechnology, aligned with the European Green
Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Hands-on learning through internships, fieldwork, and collaboration between
academia and industry
• Interdisciplinary training across biotech, environmental science, data analytics, and
policy
• Emphasis on science communication and regulatory literacy
This workshop was a milestone in shaping the BIOSHIELD educational framework—bringing together key voices to design a curriculum that is not only scientifically robust, but also socially and environmentally relevant. Through its forward-looking approach, BIOSHIELD is cultivating the next generation of leaders in climate-conscious biotechnology.