Wageningen University & Research

A series of spectacular scientific discoveries and technological advances in the second half of the 20th century have provided the basis for the ongoing genome editing revolution. The elucidation of structural and functional features of DNA and RNA was followed by pioneering studies on genome editing: Molecular biotechnology was born. Since then, four decades followed during which progress of scientific insights and technological methods continued at an overwhelming pace. Fundamental insights into microbial host-virus interactions led to the development of tools for genome editing using restriction enzymes or the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas technology. In this review, we provide a historical overview of milestones that led to the genome editing revolution and speculate about future trends in biotechnology.

Microplastics pose numerous threats to aquatic environments, yet understanding their transport mechanisms remains limited. Drawing from natural sediment research provides valuable insights to address this knowledge gap. One key dimensionless number used to describe sediment transport is the transport stage, referring to the ratio between the flow shear velocity and the particle settling velocity. However, variations in physical properties, such as shape and density, raise concerns about the applicability of existing sediment transport theories to microplastics. To address this challenge, we employed a physical modeling approach, examining 24 different nonbuoyant microplastic particles in a turbulent open channel flow. Utilizing 3D particle tracking, a total of 720 trajectories were recorded and analyzed. Microplastic particles exhibited transport modes akin to natural sediments, including rolling/sliding, saltation, and suspension. The transport stage strongly correlated with these modes, as well as with the mean forward velocity and mean position in the water column. Notably, particle shape emerged as a critical factor influencing transport dynamics. Due to their lower settling velocity, fibers tended to stay closer to the water surface with lower forward velocities compared to spheres. Based on the laboratory results, a new phase diagram for microplastics is introduced analogous to an existing diagram for sediments.

As the world population continues to grow, adopting more sustainable eating behaviors becomes crucial to mitigating climate degradation. The study aimed to investigate Chinese (n = 672) and Danish (n = 272) consumers acceptance of sustainable protein-rich alternatives. This was done by presenting three categories of sustainable alternatives: legumes, plant-based meat analogues and hybrids, and cell-based foods in two identical online surveys. It was found that the Chinese participants held greater familiarity with the included food categories, more positive attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors and higher consumption frequency of legumes and plant-based meat analogues and hybrids compared to the Danish. Both participants demonstrated the highest acceptance for legumes, followed by plant-based meat analogues and hybrids, and lastly, cell-based foods. Comparatively, cell-based foods seemed more promising for the Chinese participants while the Danish participants viewed plant-based meat analogues and hybrids more negatively on several aspects. Consumption scenarios were also evaluated for appropriateness across food categories, meal types, physical and social contexts, revealing distinct participant preferences. Legumes emerged as the more appropriate food choice for the participants. Generally, the Chinese participants showed more openness to sustainable protein-rich foods whereas the Danish remained more reluctant. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into crosscultural differences in consumer perceptions of sustainable protein-rich foods and highlight the necessity for research focusing on a variety of drivers and barriers to consumption. It systematically investigated; legumes, plant-based meat analogues and hybrids, and cell-based foods, allowing for an in-depth comparison to be included in future research and policy developments.

Asgard archaea were pivotal in the origin of complex cellular life1. Heimdallarchaeia (a class within the phylum Asgardarchaeota) are inferred to be the closest relatives of eukaryotes. Limited sampling of these archaea constrains our understanding of their ecology and evolution2,3, including their role in eukaryogenesis. Here we use massive DNA sequencing of marine sediments to obtain 404 Asgardarchaeota metagenome-assembled genomes, including 136 new Heimdallarchaeia and several novel lineages. Analyses of their global distribution revealed they are widespread in marine environments, and many are enriched in variably oxygenated coastal sediments. Detailed metabolic reconstructions and structural predictions suggest that Heimdallarchaeia form metabolic guilds that are distinct from other Asgardarchaeota. These archaea encode hallmark proteins of an aerobic lifestyle, including electron transport chain complex (IV), haem biosynthesis and reactive oxygen species detoxification. Heimdallarchaeia also encode novel clades of respiratory membrane-bound hydrogenases with additional Complex I-like subunits, which potentially increase proton-motive force generation and ATP synthesis. Thus, we propose an updated Heimdallarchaeia-centric model of eukaryogenesis in which hydrogen production and aerobic respiration may have been present in the Asgard-eukaryotic ancestor. This expanded catalogue of Asgard archaeal genomic diversity suggests that bioenergetic factors influenced eukaryogenesis and constitutes a valuable resource for investigations into the origins and evolution of cellular complexity.

The 2024 farmers’ protests across Europe signaled widespread dissatisfaction in the agricultural sector. While low farm incomes and restrictive environmental regulations are commonly cited grievances, little is known about underlying motivations and individual farmers’ reasons for protesting. This study explores individual farmers’ protest motivations in Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse concerns shaping agricultural discontent across Europe. We analyze rich text data from 2232 farmers, collected through surveys using an open-ended question designed to elicit unprompted, top-of-mind protest reasons. By using a combination of hand and AI-assisted coding, we quantify protest reasons across countries, assess the emotional tone of farmers’ answers, and explore how this aligns with policy responses. Our findings indicate that farmers’ main protest reasons differ across the four countries, with German farmers mainly complaining about bureaucracy, French farmers about financial reasons, Belgian farmers expressing diverse complaints, while Dutch farmers focus mainly on the political environment. The emotional tone of farmers’ answers reveals that specific, targeted complaints are more often expressed in an annoyed angry tone, while broader topics seem to trigger aggressive anger. Linking farmers’ protest reasons to national and EU policy responses shows that, while some key complaints received adequate policy attention, environmental complaints were disproportionately prioritized by EU policymakers and some Member States. The findings from this study have important implications with the potential to improve the effectiveness of policy responses by contributing to the identification of adequate solutions to ease farmers’ grievances.