Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Biosolutions Bulletin

With biosolutions taking the center stage, it’s the story of how an industry once defined by heavy machinery and chemical use began learning from the lightest touch in nature.

From its first known sheets in China, paper has played an indispensable role in human life, and for almost 1,800 years, the possible environmental and health impacts of its production went largely unnoticed.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Paper has been part of our lives for centuries, carrying everything from love letters to laws, poetry and packaging.

Paper is one of the world’s oldest materials — and one of its next frontiers for sustainable innovation. As mills face rising pressure to cut water use, energy, and emissions, biosolutions are emerging as game changers helping make papermaking cleaner and more efficient. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Would you believe that tiny organisms inside your body influence how well you sleep, the state of your mental health, your immunity, and even your overall physical well-being?

No, we’re not talking about miniature aliens sitting in you and orchestrating your life like a sci-fi thriller — this isn’t Men in Black! Instead, we’re referring to the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that call your body home.

Discover the world within you.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

We all want future generations to inherit a planet with clean water and a healthy environment. But have you noticed how, despite our best intentions, the Earth is showing signs of wear and tear?

It’s becoming clear that we need to take corrective steps fast - across the board. 

Have you ever thought about how your clothes could be impacting the environment? The jeans you live in, the hoodie that’s your go-to, even that suit you wear to work – many of them start with natural fibers like cotton. But despite the natural origin, harsh chemicals are deeply embedded in the textile industry's value chain from the very start of the process through to the finished product.

Learn how biology can make textile production more sustainable.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Imagine you’re visiting a carrot farm. Your friend, the farmer, hands you a freshly pulled carrot to munch on. Would you eat it without washing it? Probably not! You would first wash it, worried about germs from the soil clinging to it.

And those concerns are valid. Studies show that just one gram of soil from the rhizosphere—the space around plant roots—can contain up to one billion bacteria. This region is bustling with countless other microbes too, including tiny worms called nematodes, fungi, algae, viruses, and parasites.

While we try to avoid these microbes, plants actually depend on them for their survival. In fact, without these microscopic helpers, plants as we know them wouldn’t even exist.

Scientists have been exploring the world of microbes for over four centuries, starting with Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the late 17th century, who crafted microscopes to examine various materials, including soil. He discovered tiny living organisms and called them "animalcules" long before "microbe" was even in use.

This is where our journey begins—at the fascinating intersection of microbiology, soil science, plants, and agriculture. We'll explore the vital roles that soil microbes play in the life of plants and how this knowledge has transformed agriculture. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

The global population is projected to soar to about 10 billion people by 20501, posing a significant challenge: how do we farm enough food to feed everyone? This challenge is compounded by the impacts of climate change on agriculture, requiring solutions that not only boost food production but also protect the environment and lessen the burden on our planet.

Is there a solution that can help solve this complexity? Surprisingly, yes – it lies in the bacteria and fungi living in the soil. These tiny organisms are already making agricultural practices more environmentally friendly and helping farmers increase their crop yields.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

In the ubiquitous world of modern resources, crude oil—often simply called "oil"—is a fundamental element of our daily lives, even if we don't always recognize its pervasive influence. But there’s a catch: while oil has been the engine of our modern world, it has become a serious concern for causing irreparable damage to the environment, including being a leading cause of climate change. It has become imperative that we reduce our dependence on oil and find better alternatives.

A key to a shift away from oil lies in something called biorefineries, which leverage the power of enzymes derived from microbes – like bacteria and fungi – to transform plants into useful products.

Join us as we delve into the expansive impact of crude oil, exploring not only its role as a critical fuel source but also its contribution to a wide array of products we depend on – and how biorefineries can help make the shift away from it.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

In the fascinating domain of human companionship, the phrase "a human’s best friend" often conjures images of our loyal furry companions—dogs! However, there's a surprising twist to this age-old bond: another living organism was domesticated by humans long before wild wolves evolved into our beloved pooches.
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Join us as we uncover the intriguing history of yeast, the same microorganism you use for baking bread, and explore its essential role in human civilization through the ages.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

In the bustling realm of food innovation, fermented plant-based foods are having their moment in the spotlight, captivating both taste buds and eco-conscious hearts. From leading a quiet life on the sidelines of mainstream diets, the vegetal cuisine is now taking center stage, and many efforts are put into elevating its culinary appeal.

Join us as we delve into the world of fermented plant-based foods, exploring the innovative strides being made to elevate these dishes and make them a staple in modern diets. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Humans, plants, and animals share a genetic kinship through the fundamental building blocks of life. This interconnectedness provides a foundation for inspiring sustainable biology-based solutions in industrial manufacturing by drawing upon the intricate biological processes and adaptability found in nature. 

In this article, we explore how understanding and harnessing the genetic similarities and evolutionary relationships between these organisms can help us develop innovative, sustainable approaches to manufacturing that align with the resilience and efficiency seen in natural systems. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Biological advancements have continuously revolutionized our daily lives, providing innovation that enhances our comfort, health, and efficiency. Discover how biosolutions are all around you in your everyday life, shaping the future and making a significant impact on humanity.

We dive into the world of biosolutions and learn how harnessing the power of biology can make our daily routines easier and more sustainable, in our quest to build a healthier, greener future.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Climate change is a global issue that is frequently reported in the news. While reports often focus on the mitigation measures by nations and their global impacts, we sometimes overlook our individual contributions to the crisis.

We focus on some specific examples of how biosolutions are helping us make daily use products that result in lesser carbon emissions and a more environment-friendly everyday life.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Winemaking has always balanced tradition and innovation, weathering existential threats throughout history. Today, shifting climates drive biological changes in vineyards, challenging age-old practices.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Picture this: a world where we could capture all the nasty gases emitted when burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, then turn them right back into fuel. 

Burn, capture, use, and repeat – an endless loop of fossil fuel reuse. That would've been a game-changer, right? We would not be facing immediate threats of global warming and climate change as we do now. 

But let's face it, we all know that burning fossil fuels is a one-way street – once they're gone, they're gone.

We have a similar problem with something we use every day: plastics. 

But there might be a solution...

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Enzymes have helped humans weave a fascinating tale of innovation and sustainable transformation but have remained the overlooked pillars of our existence. Now scientists, researchers, and corporations are unravelling newer and more innovative uses of enzymes to make the planet a better place for all living organisms. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

In the bustling world of biology, all living things – people, animal and plants – are home to advanced enzyme factories. Made by cells, enzymes are biological molecules, typically proteins. Unlike for instance bacteria, they are not living organisms – but they function as catalysts in living organisms.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Explore the unseen battle against food waste in this episode, where we uncover the crucial role of microbes in preserving food and combating spoilage. With over a third of global food wasted, contributing to hunger and environmental damage, the spotlight turns to beneficial bacteria and fermentation processes. Learn how these tiny allies are revolutionizing food preservation, extending shelf lives, and offering sustainable solutions to one of the world's most pressing issues. Dive into the science behind bioprotection and discover how ancient practices meet modern technology to fight food waste and enhance food safety.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Dive into the hidden world of microbes, the silent influencers governing our planet. From generating oxygen to pioneering biosolutions, these microscopic heroes play a crucial role in our future fighting global challenges such as antibiotic resistance, pollution, and food wastage. Join us on a brief journey uncovering their impact on sustainability and innovation for a more resilient future for us all.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

As vineyards worldwide bustle with the energy of harvest, the story of winemaking faces an unprecedented challenge. Climate change is disrupting centuries-old traditions, altering the delicate balance that defines the character of wine.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Biosolutions are all about solving problems with biology — the study of all living things. And right now, humanity has reached a point where we not only study life but also learn directly from it.  With centuries of discovery and the rise of powerful new technologies, we are beginning to turn nature’s own strategies into solutions for challenges in health, food, and the environment. This is the story of how humans, step by step, have developed this capacity — from the first glimpses of cells under a microscope to today’s ability to design biosolutions inspired by life itself. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Modern biology now relies on artificial intelligence, supercomputers, and advanced technologies to explore details once unreachable, uncover patterns invisible to the human eye, and design solutions that were once unimaginable. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

From the moment we are born, our bodies become a prime destination for an incredible variety of microbes.

These tiny life forms — bacteria, fungi, and viruses — begin colonizing us right away, starting with the process of us being born, followed by skin contact through our mother’s touch, just as mother’s milk is introduced into our system.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Even the best biosolutions won’t scale if people can’t see, understand or trust them — so what makes them take root?

In this final part of a three-part series, we explore what it takes for a new way of producing to gain acceptance. Trust, familiarity, and public perception can be just as important as science and regulation. Biosolutions hold immense promise. Yet their wider adoption remains uneven, shaped by challenges that are not always immediately visible.

In part two, Biology, Regulation, and the pace of progress, we traced one of these: how a history shaped by fear, uncertainty, and earlier experiences with industrial chemicals continue to influence how biotechnology is regulated today, and in turn, how biosolutions are used and deployed. But regulation is only part of the story. There are other forces at play that are less tangible but just as influential. They lie in how we understand biology, how societies, policymakers and consumers respond to what feels unfamiliar, and how new ways of producing are communicated, interpreted, and trusted over time.

For the full experience, read the article while listening: https://www.novonesis.com/en/news/the-biosolutions-bulletin-16-creating-right-conditions-biosolutions-take-root

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This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

If biosolutions are ready, why are legacy regulatory systems still slowing their path into the real world?

In this second part of a three-part series, we examine the role regulation plays in the pace of biosolutions adoption. It explores how governance, risk perception, and regulatory systems influence innovation, while recognizing that the primary purpose of these systems — safeguarding people and the environment — must never be compromised. At the same time, it considers why identifying smarter ways to support innovation within these protective frameworks is becoming increasingly important.

Biosolutions hold immense potential. They are already deployed across multiple industries producing a wide range of everyday products. The scientific and policy literature on their promise is extensive, and rapid advances in biotechnology continue to expand that potential. Yet their widespread adoption continues to lag behind.

For the full experience, read the article while listening: https://www.novonesis.com/en/news/the-biosolutions-bulletin-16-biology-regulation-and-pace-progress

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

What if the next industrial revolution doesn’t come from extracting more—but from producing more like nature does?

In part one of this three-part series, we take a step back to the origins of modern production, following how early material transformation developed into today’s industrial systems, and how biology is now beginning to emerge as an alternative way of making and transforming materials.

The condition of the planet today invites for reflection. Materials that define modern life, such as plastics, industrial chemicals, fertilizers, and fossil fuels, have made our lives easier, more productive, and more globally connected than ever before. They have helped increase food production, enabled new industries, and supported rising living standards across much of the world. Yet these same innovations and the way we produce them are also closely tied to many of the environmental challenges we face today.

For the full experience, read the article while listening: https://www.novonesis.com/en/news/the-biosolutions-bulletin-16-rethinking-industrial-production-age-biology

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

How did pets evolve from independent, working animals to cherished family members, and what does a 100% human-managed life mean for their health and well-being? In this article, we’ll be tracing their journey from helpers to furry family.

Do you have a pet dog at home? When was the last time your dog helped you hunt a fowl or a fox, marched beside you into battle, or carried you across snowy landscapes on a sled? Most probably, never.

For most of human history, dogs, and pets in general, were valued primarily for what they did, not simply for who they were. The transformation of pets from useful companions into deeply loved family members is relatively recent. Interestingly, this shift is also connected to a growing set of health challenges seen in modern pets, which we’ll explore later.

Today, many kinds of animals live in human homes, but dogs and cats remain the most common companions.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

Feeding our furry friends is a careful balancing act: Pet food must be irresistible enough that they eat it consistently, yet also provide the nutrition they need to thrive. Crafting food that hits both marks is one of the central challenges of modern pet nutrition — and enzymes and microbes are playing an important role in this equation.

Pets do not choose what they eat. Their daily nourishment depends entirely on what we place in their bowl, and that makes feeding far more than a routine task. To keep pets eating it day after day, pet food must not only be appealing; it must also deliver the essential nutrients they need to function properly and enjoy life with their families.

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

The widespread use of cement and bitumen (the binding ingredient in asphalt) has shaped the buildings we live in and the roads we travel on, making modern infrastructure possible. But it has also created a deep dependence on fossil fuels and energy-intensive production.  

To appreciate why alternatives like those explored in “Biosolutions beneath our feet”  are being considered, it helps to first examine how these conventional materials came to dominate — and the challenges that now accompany their continued use.  

In this episode of the Biosolutions Bulletin by Novonesis, you will learn how we could rethink the materials that hold the modern world together.  

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin

What if the materials holding our roads and pavements together didn’t come from burning fuel or melting rock — but from life itself? 

In conventional infrastructure, binders like cement and bitumen rely on force. Fungal binders work differently: they don’t need heat or chemistry. Instead, the fungus spreads through sand, gravel, and stone, weaving a dense, interwoven network that binds the particles together with strength born from entanglement and natural adhesion. It sounds almost magical — yet it is biology, not fantasy, quietly shaping the roads beneath our feet.  

In this episode of the Biosolutions Bulletin by Novonesis you will learn about biosolutions beneath our feet and how fungi are rewriting toads and pavements. 

This audio article is part of The Biosolutions Bulletin. For the text version of this article and to get The Biosolutions Bulletin delivered monthly directly to your inbox, please go to: https://www.novonesis.com/en/biosolutions-bulletin