Research

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergy remains to be the most prevalent immunologically-mediated disease affecting almost 30% of the population world-wide. Accordingly it is one of the most important non-communicable diseases affecting mankind. Allergic and chronic airway diseases are currently a major public health problem causing high morbidity, costs and mortality. Allergic patients suffer not only from relatively mild manifestations such as allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis but also other organs such as the lung, skin and gastrointestinal tract can be heavily affected. The most severe form of allergy, anaphylactic shock caused by food allergens and venom allergens may lead to life-threating conditions and death also in very young persons. Likewise, asthma is a severely disabling and life-threatening manifestation of allergy from early childhood up to elderly life. Several pharmacological and biological treatements are available but their effect is modest, lasts only as long as the medication is administered and does not provide sustained effects. Molecular allergy diagnosis enables to transform healthcare towards the principles of “P4 Medicine” for predictive, preventive, personalized (precision) and participatory medicine.

Healthy soil with a sufficient water balance forms the basis of our food supply and is an important part of our economy. Depleted soils, persistent climate stress and natural disasters require effective countermeasures. In the context of soil health, the circular economy and the EU Green Deal, sheep's wool represents a valuable, previously neglected resource for soil improvement. A population of around 84 million sheep was identified in the European Union in 2018. As a by-product around 200,000 tons of sheep's wool (1.5-3 kg per sheep per year) are obtained. As there has been a lack of sales markets it is mainly burned or disposed of in landfill, thus enhancing the climate problem. For some years now, however, this valuable resource has been used again to some extent, pressed into pellets and can therefore be used as a fertilizer with many benefits. Additionally, to the valuable ingredients such as 50% carbon, 15% nitrogen, 5% sulphur and further micronutrients, uncleaned sheep's wool contains a microbiome that includes bio-stimulants which promote plant growth and nutrient uptake. Soil and sheep's wool microorganisms can also improve biodiversity which has a positive effect on soil health. This is based on the application of sheep's wool pellets as fertilizer and on the upcycling of renewable raw materials. Studies have shown that sheep's wool significantly increases vegetable yields and improves soil health and quality. However, there is still a need to develop suitable concepts and scientific expertise in order to fully exploit the ecological and agronomic benefits of this fertilizer in the future. The use of sheep's wool pellets in combination with super absorbent polymers (SAP) for water storage and targeted nutrient release is a novel and innovative solution. Biodegradable, water-absorbent polymers support the targeted release of nutrients and drastically increase the water storage capacity. These intelligent systems of bioactive fertilizers based on natural raw materials offer a revolutionary opportunity to promote sustainable soil health and soil management. Existing technologies are used to create material compounds that match the structural properties for targeted nutrient release and water retention in soil management. In this project two company partners - Ecolets and Green Legancy - are working together with scientific institutions - BOKU and TU Graz. The aim is to demonstrate how the combination of sheep's wool and biopolymers can be used to create a high-quality soil conditioner which, in harmony with the soil and plant microbiome, offers an innovative solution for sustainable agriculture, where experience and tradition meet hi-tech. This consortium enables comprehensive scientific support in the development process as well as a practical exchange of knowledge in the various initial applications, right through to the necessary expertise prior to market maturity.

SONIA-ProQ makes it possible to make soy value chains in Austria more resilient and sustainable. Through the further development of special applications based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), fundamental contributions are being made to develop and improve the use of sensors and real-time process control in the processing of soybeans into animal feed. An integrated feeding trial with fattening pigs supports the quantification of the potential. In addition, a special soybean training course is being set up, which will also lead to quality improvements at the processing and feeding level. The basis for this work is the exchange of experience and knowledge between the 9 project partners and 7 organizations in the Expert Council. Together, they form a soy network that has never before come together in this form in an R&D project in Austria. SONIA-ProQ addresses the SDGs (zero hunger; quality education and sustainable consumption and production) and makes an important contribution to the Austrian protein strategy. The results of the project enable the consortium partners to position themselves more strongly in the growing soy market in the long term and also address the interests of consumers with regard to GMO-free, regionality and organic farming.