RCSI groups up with Syngenta on challenge to guard crops

Researchers on the Royal School of Surgeons in Eire (RCSI) College of Medication and Well being Sciences in Dublin have teamed up with agtech firm, Syngenta, to develop biodegradable supplies that assist to guard crops. 

On this 12-month collaborative challenge funded by Syngenta, consultants in polymer chemistry at RCSI are exploring how cross-linked coatings of polymers might be utilized in agriculture, permitting environmentally pleasant protecting brokers to be launched slowly into vegetation to guard crops over time.

The innovation on the centre of RCSI’s collaboration with Syngenta focuses on growing biodegradable supplies that may break slowly in water and launch compounds appropriate for crop safety.

RCSI and Syngenta

RCSI lead researcher on the challenge and professor of chemistry, Andreas Heise, is an professional in constructing and testing polymeric supplies, and has a protracted observe report in growing such supplies as platforms or carriers to manage the supply of medicines within the physique.

“We’re delighted to be taking this elementary polymer know-how and experience, which we initially developed for managed drug supply within the physique, and exploring with Syngenta, new methods to make use of this know-how within the agricultural sector,” Prof. Heise stated.

“This challenge demonstrates how innovation in materials science may be utilized in many various methods for the advantage of well being, the surroundings and society usually.

“Trade-academic collaborations reminiscent of this one may also help to unlock interdisciplinary innovation,” he added.

Crop safety

Syngenta, a worldwide firm with headquarters in Switzerland, has a robust analysis and growth (R&D) give attention to defending crops as they develop.

The corporate develops herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and seed remedy merchandise to advertise robust and wholesome progress primarily based on scientific analysis.

The Syngenta partnership with Prof. Heise in RCSI is now exploring new methods to ship these protecting brokers. 

Dr. Annette Christie, group chief inside Product, Expertise and Engineering at Syngenta stated: “We’re completely having fun with collaborating with Prof. Andreas Heise and postdoctoral researcher Dr. Bo Li on this thrilling challenge, trying to advance our understanding on how novel supplies may be utilized to learn the applying of crop safety merchandise.”

The partnership brings collectively RCSI experience in polymer chemistry and Syngenta’s ambition to enhance the best way crops are grown and guarded so that everybody advantages, from shoppers to farmers and the surroundings.