The Lorraine-based Anthralab project led by Kira Weissmann-Sourmail, professor at the IMoPA laboratory (Molecular Engineering and Physiopathology; CNRS-University of Lorraine) is the only Lorraine-based project to have been selected in the framework of the call for proposals for joint laboratories between public research organizations and SMEs/ETIs - Wave 2 2021 initiated by the ANR (National Research Agency).
Europe's new growth strategy, the European Green Deal, has the ambitious goal of improving both human health and the environment by reducing the use of harmful chemicals. Among them, synthetic dyes occupy a prominent place. The "AnthraLab" Labcom, involving the PKS group of UMR 7365 CNRS-University of Lorraine, IMoPA (Molecular Engineering and Articular Physiopathology) and Abolis Biotechnologies (Evry), is perfectly in line with the strategic roadmap of Europe and the Green Deal. The aim of this collaboration is to enable Europe to "Return to the Future" by reviving the historical use of natural dyes, produced in Europe by fermentation, through the use of synthetic biology.
These natural products are biodegradable, have reduced toxicity, and are perfectly in line with the new roadmap for safe-by-design chemicals. With its growing network of industrial partners, Abolis is in an ideal position to accelerate the marketing of these products. Thanks to the profits generated by this commercialization, the PKS group will benefit from sustainable funding to ensure the continuity of its work in this field, as well as for its fundamental research activities. This Labcom is supported by the Pôle IAR and Lorraine University of Excellence.