MICROTEA

About the team

Our team combines expertise in agricultural engineering, sustainable food processing, and agrifood economics. With hands-on experience in the fields of microfluidics and gene editing, as well as knowledge in automation, bacterial protein production, food processing, and economic analysis, our goal is to merge our abilities to drive progress. We are united by our belief in advancing technologies that contribute to the improvement of human society and promote a sustainable future.

Our vision

In the agricultural and food sectors, there is a growing need for transformation, driven by the integration of new microorganisms and modified plants. This shift is supported by regulatory advancements and a changing mindset toward advanced breeding techniques. The increasing global population, coupled with the challenges posed by climate change, has placed significant pressure on these sectors. Consequently, there is a strong push for innovative solutions, such as the development of alternative protein sources and plants with enhanced resilience to environmental stresses.Our vision is to harness the potential of microfluidics combined with CRISPR-Cas to develop new microorganisms and genetically edited plants. These innovations aim to address global food supply demands in the near future and, in the long term, support humanity's broader aspirations, including space exploration and the creation of advanced plants and microorganisms with high protein productivity, tailored for new worlds.

Our solution

Microfluidics, a technology commonly used in chemical analysis, presents a promising solution for tackling global warming and food security challenges when paired with advanced techniques like CRISPR-Cas. This combination enhances the efficiency of creating genetically modified microorganisms capable of producing sustainable proteins, as well as plants with greater resistance to environmental stressors. Progress in this field is further supported by the expansion of genomic databases, which now contain the genetic blueprints of numerous plants and microorganisms. By leveraging this vast genetic information, the integration of microfluidics and CRISPR-Cas enables precise gene targeting, optimizing the use of genetic editing technologies while significantly reducing the reliance on large amounts of chemicals during the transfection process. What sets our solution apart is the innovative use of microfluidics, which operates through mechanical deformation of cells rather than causing chemical damage. This approach not only preserves cell integrity but also allows for the precise selection of individual cells. Consequently, the challenging task of identifying a specific edited line becomes much more manageable, accelerating the process of developing and patenting new organisms.Together, these advancements offer a pathway to creating more sustainable and resilient food production systems, addressing global challenges with cutting-edge innovation.