Communications

At the Industrial Agro-Biotechnolgies Research Unit of AgroParisTech (URD ABI), Lithuanian postdoctoral researcher Audronė Ispiryan recently completed an inspiring research internship (one month stay) focused on transforming berry processing residues into valuable resources for the food and cosmetics industries. As part of her postdoctoral project “Enhancing the Value of Berry Pomace: Effects of Fermentation on By-Product Properties and Applications”, Audronė worked with the Processing Engineering Team under the guidance of the URD ABI Director, Florent Allais, collaborating closely with Dr. Morad Chadni, Emilie Isidore and, Abdouramane Dosso.

Their research explored how fermentation and innovative extraction methods, including ultrasonic homogenization, can unlock bioactive compounds in both fermented and non-fermented berry pomace. These compounds, such as anthocyanins and antioxidants, have the potential to enrich food formulations and natural cosmetic ingredients.

The collaboration at URD ABI has already sparked plans for future joint projects between AgroParisTech and Vytautas Magnus University. The teams are now developing ideas for further research in bioprocess optimization, circular bioeconomy, and sustainable ingredient development.

Quentin Carboue had the honor of presenting his work on pigment production using a fungus grown on a non-sterilized medium at the 8th Symposium on Environmental Biotechnology and Engineering (8ISEBE), held in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

The conference focused on various biotechnological strategies to mitigate environmental impacts, including wastewater treatment of polluted effluents, soil bioremediation, biofertilization, and biodegradation of recalcitrant polymers.

It was a great opportunity to meet renowned researchers — especially from Latin America — working in these areas, and we hope that it will lead to future collaborations!

On Wednesday 22, October, Florent Allais had the great honor and pleasure of giving a talk at Cosmetorium 2025 (Barcelona, Spain) on how URD ABI - AgroParisTech scientists combine biomimicry, green chemistry, biotechnology and eco-extraction to offer sustainable and safe alternartives to current decried fossil-based UV-filters.

This talk included results achieved through the ANR (Agence nationale de la recherche)-funded Sinapuv and Lagoon projects as well as the BoostCrop FET-Open project.

Works from our collaboration with Monash Chemical and Biological Engineering and BioPRIA (Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia) were also showcased.

The URD ABI team took part in in the 2nd International Conference on Biomass Valorization for Sustainable Applications (BIOVASA) in Tunisia. It was a great opportunity to share our work and progress on biomass valorization for different fields such as food, cosmetics, polymers, and anticorrosion applications. URD ABI was represented by:

- Emilie ISIDORE , who presented “A green and simple recovery of secondary metabolites from common rue (Ruta graveolens)”

- Amel Chammam, who shared the progress of the ANR (Agence nationale de la recherche) project "CoBY" with her talk “Corrosion inhibitors from vegetal by-products: Extraction, purification and understanding the mechanism of action”

- Christian Cravotto, who discussed “Sustainable recovery of bioactives from Mediterranean by-products for active packaging applications” within the PLAMINPACK project (PRIMA Partnership)

- Morad Chadni presented our membrane contactor technology and its applications for the hashtag#purification of biomolecules from hashtag#biomass.

It was a great pleasure to welcome the Fulbright France IEA 2025’s participants at Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie to showcase URD ABI - AgroParisTech’s international activities and especially the ones we have with the USA (e.g., Fulbright France fellowship, dual PhD degree, National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Florida-France REU program, junior & senior researchers exchanges, creating a new Gordon Research Conferences).

Thanks to the organisers of Fulbright France

Looking forward to potential new collaboration initiatives!

URD ABI - AgroParisTech was at the "Village de la bioéconomie" at Foire de Châlons.

Congrats to Boris Tran, Capucine Jezegou and Christian Cravotto for their great pitch at "Nos chercheurs ont du talent".

Many thanks to all the visitors who stopped by at our booth (part of the Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie's booth) that showcased our research.

URD ABI is proud to announce that Florent Allais has been invited to give a talk at the American Chemical Society Fall 2025 National Meeting, taking place in Washington, DC (USA).

He has presented his work in the Green Polymer Chemistry Symposium, thanks to the kind invitation from HN Chen and Richard Gross. His talk highlighted URD ABI’s latest advances in sustainable polymer chemistry, reinforcing the team’s commitment to developing innovative and eco-friendly solutions at the interface of chemistry and biotechnology.

The ACS National Meeting is one of the largest gatherings of chemists worldwide, providing a unique platform to share cutting-edge research, foster collaboration, and exchange ideas with the international scientific community.

Florent Allais recently had the pleasure of visiting his alma mater, the University of Florida, where he reconnected with long-time friends and colleagues in the Department of Chemistry.

During the visit, fruitful discussions were held with Professors Ronald K. Castellano, Lisa McElwee-White, Matthew Eddy, Steve Miller, and others regarding the dual Ph.D. program between UF and AgroParisTech. Both sides expressed strong enthusiasm for renewing and strengthening this academic partnership, which has already created valuable research and educational opportunities for students and faculty alike.

A highlight of the visit was checking in on the three AgroParisTech students - Félix Noël Quarante, Matteo Zambrano Carrillo, and Kiran Souprayenmestry - who are currently hosted across three UF research groups (Steven Bruner’s, Steve Miller’s, and Yong Zeng’s labs, respectively). Their internships are part of the NSF-funded REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program, coordinated by Professors Valeria D. Kleiman and Tammy Davidson.

Witnessing these dynamic international exchanges firsthand was both inspiring and affirming. URD ABI is proud to contribute to and benefit from such strong academic ties and remains committed to advancing global scientific collaboration.

Last June, URD ABI received Dr. Itza Nallely Cordero Soto from the National Technological Institute of Mexico in Durango to perform analyses on her newly synthetized biopolymers.

On this occasion, she gave a conference entitled "Agave residues: potential for obtaining value-added compounds", dealing with the valorization of byproducts obtained from the mezcal and tequila industries.

As part of the BoostCrop team, URD ABI - AgroParisTech has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize 2025.

The BoostCrop (FETOpen project) partners(University of Warwick, AgroParisTech, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Radboud University, Aix-Marseille Université, Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR), University of Bristol and GAB Consulting / SynTech Research Group) have pioneered the development of a library of biocompatible nature-inspired molecules that harness solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These molecules are applied onto plants as a water-based foliar spray. By converting UV radiation into heat, they provide the crop with supplementary heat thereby encouraging successful crop growth in cooler geographical regions and helping mitigate against sudden daytime frost damage. These molecules also proved to boost crop growth (plant growth regulators), making them very promising sustainable multifunctional ingredients for biocontrol.

URD ABI - AgroParisTech had the great pleasure of welcoming to the Centre Européen de Biotechnologie et de Bioéconomie the 12 American students currently on placement in the Université Paris 6 Pierre et Marie Curie-Jussieu, Université de Strasbourg, Université de Toulouse and URD ABI - AgroParisTech laboratories within the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded REU program.

During these two days, under the guidance of Valeria D. Kleiman and Tammy Davidson (UF Department of Chemistry - University of Florida ) the students presented their work, took a tour of Soliance – Now part of Givaudan Active Beauty (thank you Christophe Fleury for your time!), discovered the Bazancourt-Pomacle biorefinery from the roof of the CRISTANOL mill (thank you Thierry Caron, Michel Mangion and Elise Merlot!) and visited the CEBB.

Building on a fruitful collaboration that dates back to 2016, URD ABI recently had the pleasure of welcoming Prof. Gil Garnier from BioPRIA (Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia, Monash Chemical and Biological Engineering). Prof. Garnier’s visit reinforced years of successful cooperation and laid the groundwork for exciting new developments.

Just one week later, Dr. Joel Hooper from the Monash University Department of Chemistry joined us to further this collaboration. During his visit, we reviewed the progress of Darsan Haridas, the graduate student co-supervised by both institutions, and launched new research ideas aimed at future joint projects.

These back-to-back visits highlight the enduring and dynamic partnership between URD ABI and Monash University, demonstrating our shared dedication to advancing sustainable chemistry and biobased innovation.

Florent Allais has just returned from an inspiring week at the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) held at Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine (USA). This 3rd edition of the "Biomass to Biobased Chemicals and Materials" GRC brought together a vibrant community of researchers dedicated to advancing sustainable science and innovation.

Florent was honored to deliver a talk and present the work of URD ABI, highlighting ongoing research efforts and industrial collaborations within the Bazancourt-Pomacle biorefinery. The lively discussions that followed underscored the strength of the global scientific community and the importance of curiosity-driven, collaborative research.

This edition of the GRC was particularly meaningful, as it was co-organized by Adam Lee and Gil Garnier, following the successful launch of the series in 2019 by Richard Gross and Florent Allais himself.

We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a prestigious forum and look forward to the new ideas and partnerships sparked by this incredible event.

On Thursday, June 5, 2025, URD ABI (AgroParisTech) was pleased to welcome students from the MASTERNOVA Specialized Master's program for a day of immersion at the European Center for Biotechnology and Bioeconomy (CEBB) in Pomacle-Bazancourt. This visit was part of the “Bioeconomy” teaching module, which aims to familiarize students with the challenges of valorizing bioresources from a circular economy perspective. The objective was to understand how to sustainably transform biomass, including agricultural co-products, into innovative solutions with high added value.

The day began with a presentation of the Pomacle-Bazancourt biorefinery, the CEBB and URD ABI. In the early afternoon, attendees discovered Biotech'InnLab, the incubator run by URD ABI, which supports deep tech start-ups in the field of industrial biotechnology. Two start-ups supported by the incubator, Alterskin by Alternative Innovation and Bioferm'Tech, shared their experiences, innovations, and vision for the bioeconomy of tomorrow. The visit continued with a tour of the unit's laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art tools, where biotechnology, green chemistry, and process engineering combine to transform bio-based raw materials into materials, ingredients, or molecules of interest. It was a day full of exchanges, discoveries, and inspiration for the future players of the bioeconomy!

Florent Allais recently visited Prof. Richard Gross at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to discuss their ongoing joint project, led by Lisa Kaïd - a graduate student in Prof. Gross’s group and former intern at URD ABI (AgroParisTech). This visit was a great opportunity to catch up on the project's progress and to identify new research directions in the fields of sustainable chemistry and bio-based materials. Stay tuned for the upcoming publication by Lisa Kaïd on functionalized sophorolipids. Exciting results are on the horizon!

Next Florent Allais had the pleasure of visiting the prestigious Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. During his visit, he had the honor of delivering a seminar and engaging with researchers on the institute’s groundbreaking work at the intersection of chemistry, biotechnology, and bioinspired innovation. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and explore synergies between the Wyss Institute and URD ABI. A special thanks to Emily Stoler for organizing the visit and making the event a success. We look forward to continued discussions and the potential for future collaborations with this world-class research institution.

After Harvard University, Florent Allais had the pleasure of visiting Technology Greenhouse in Andover, Massachusetts - a visionary space co-founded by John Warner and Justin Whitfield, dedicated to developing technologies that are both groundbreaking and sustainable. During the visit, Florent delivered a seminar and engaged in rich, forward-thinking discussions with the team. The experience highlighted Technology Greenhouse’s commitment to innovation rooted in green chemistry and responsible design, values that strongly resonate with URD ABI’s mission. A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for the warm welcome and truly inspiring conversations. We look forward to continuing the dialogue and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

Following recent visits to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, and Technology Greenhouse, Florent Allais continued his U.S. tour with a visit to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he had the opportunity to explore two of the university's flagship research centers: the HEROES Institute (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers) and the Fabric Discovery Center (FDC). This inspiring visit was made possible thanks to the warm hospitality and excellent organization of Prof. Ramaswamy (Ram) Nagarajan, Prof. Kumar Jayant, Dr. Claire Lepont, Dr. Joshna Chittigori, Dr. Christos Protonotarios, and Susan D'Amore. During the visit, Florent had the honor of presenting the research, innovation, and industrial partnerships of URD ABI, particularly within the context of the Bazancourt-Pomacle biorefinery. The discussions highlighted strong potential for scientific synergy and collaborative innovation between the two institutions. We look forward to shaping a fruitful partnership between UMass Lowell and URD ABI in the near future.

As part of the "Joli Mois de l’Europe", the Europe unit of AgroParisTech organized, on Thursday, May 22, 2025 a morning event dedicated to raising awareness about European projects. The event aimed to inform and encourage scientific staff, particularly early-career researchers, to explore the opportunities offered by European funding.

One of the highlights of the morning was a roundtable discussion that brought together several researchers involved in European projects. Christian Cravotto, a postdoctoral researcher participating in the PRIMA European project “PLAMINPACK,” currently underway within the Process Engineering team of the URD ABI, spoke to share his journey and the tangible benefits of being involved at the European level. These inspiring testimonials served as real encouragement and helped to demystify access to European funding mechanisms.

The morning concluded with thematic workshops, offering participants practical insights into understanding European project calls and discovering the support systems available for submitting proposals.

PLAMINPACK aims to develop antimicrobial, bio-based packaging from plant waste and insect-derived chitosan to extend the shelf life of Mediterranean fruits, using active materials, plasma treatments, and digital tools, with a focus on sustainability.

Dr. Amandine Flourat, Dr. Beatriz Chicharo, Mr. Bilal Loumi, and Dr. Antoine Gallos showcased their work through three presentations and a poster. The symposium provided an excellent platform to share URD ABI's latest findings in green chemistry, particularly in applications for cosmetics and biomedical materials. It was also a valuable opportunity for networking, fostering new collaborations, and exchanging innovative ideas

For the second year in a row, Florent Allais has been a speaker at the Royal Society of Chemistry- and IUPAC-sponsored GreenchemAfrica Spring School held at UM6P - University Mohammed VI Polytechnic and dedicated to African students and professionals.

A great opportunity to showcase URD ABI's activities, as well as the Bazancourt-Pomacle biorefinery.

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, URD ABI attended the national workshop dedicated to bioeconomy and environment, held at the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne.

Organized in partnership with the EXEBIO Institute, the Bio-Environment National Contact Point (NCP), the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Bioeconomy For Change, and Bpifrance, this event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, and project leaders around the 2025 European calls for proposals under Cluster 6 and the Horizon Europe - Circular Bio-Based Europe (CBE-JU) partnership.

The program included: presentations on European opportunities, project development workshops, and networking sessions to promote regional collaboration and synergy in France’s Grand Est region around the bioeconomy. This dynamic fully aligns with sustainable development goals and major local, national, and European public policies aimed at addressing key societal challenges.

Sami Fadlallah participated in the ACS Spring 2025 conference held in San Diego, California, where he presented the development of concrete plasticizers derived from renewable platform molecules such as vanillin.

The presentation highlighted a collaborative project between URD ABI and Chryso Saint-Gobain, focusing on the use of ADMET polymerization and green post-polymerization modifications to create sustainable alternatives to traditional plasticizers.