Mistra Biotech is an interdisciplinary research program focusing on use of biotechnology for sustainable and competitive agriculture and food systems. 

Our vision is to contribute to the processes that will enable the Swedish agriculture and food sector to produce an increased amount of high quality, healthy food at moderate costs, with less inputs, decreased environmental impact and healthier crops and livestock. The goal is sustainable production systems - from ecological, social and economic perspectives. We perform research in both the natural and the social sciences.

Our research in the natural sciences is aimed at utilize the potential of agricultural biotechnology to contribute to a more sustainable food production with less environmental impact and healthier products. With ability comes responsibility and we take the concerns that have been raised about potential negative effects of plant biotechnology applications on human health and the environment most seriously. For us, safety, control, and transparency are essential, regardless of which technology is used.

We will develop the biennial wild species, Lepidium campestre (Field pepperweed), into an oil and catch crop (reduce soil tillage and decrease nutrient leaching). We will also develop a potato with a low glycemic index (GI), improve the nitrogen use efficiency of barley and potato in order to reduce the use of fertilizers, and improve their pathogen resistance in order to reduce the use of pesticides. Furthermore, we will exploit the novel biotechnology breeding tools that can be used for both plants and live-stock.

Our research in the social sciences has its focus on the social, economic, and ethical aspects of the use of biotechnology in agricultural production. We will create an ethics toolbox, investigate the issues of naturalness, precaution, and sustainability, study consumer attitudes and behaviours related to the use of agricultural biotechnology for food products, and investigate issues related to governance and regulation in the Swedish agri-food system. Our social research has a strong focus on sustainability issues and on the perspectives of stakeholders in the food production systems.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MISTRA BIOTECH? PLEASE E-MAIL mistrabiotech@slu.se