Dr Śmiglak’s (PSTP) project in TOP 65 Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge

2017-01-17

The research project on the protection of plants against pathogens by means of resistance inducers, carried out by dr inż. Marcin Śmiglak from PSTP is in TOP 65 Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge

Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge is a competition organised by the Elsevier Foundation. The foundation deals with corporate philanthropy across issues such as research, global health and new technologies.

Given that the demand for food, goods and raw materials is increasing in both developed and developing countries, and the production process is often detrimental to human health and the environment, the objective of Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge is to encourage scientists to design processes and solutions in such a way that they minimise or eliminate the emission of undesirable or harmful chemical substances which may have a negative impact on our health and the ecosystem.

As many as 700 proposals were submitted this year in the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge international competition. After the pre-selection procedure, the proposal submitted by dr inż. Marcin Śmiglak is among the best 65 ideas.

A method that he has developed has a chance to revolutionise the plant protection market and become a modern strategy used to increase plant resistance to fungi, viruses and bacteria. In this method plants such as potatoes, tomatoes and cereals are fed with resistance inducers.

The top five contestants will be announced at the beginning of February 2017. They will be invited to present their ideas at the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference, to be held in May 2017. The first prize challenge winner will receive a €50,000 award, and the second prize winner a €25,000 award.

We keep our fingers crossed for dr Śmiglak and his proposal!