Winners of the first Lesaffre

As part of its commitment to scientific innovation and applied research on microorganisms, Lesaffre is proud to officially announce the three winners of the Lesaffre China Research Grant program, an initiative designed to support Chinese academic excellence in the fields of microbiology, fermentation, and synthetic biology.

“This inaugural edition of the Lesaffre China Research Grant, launched in partnership with the Chinese Society of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer (CSPNF) and with the support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has generated remarkable interest within the Chinese scientific community,” said Anne-Charlotte Pupin, Front End Innovation & Category Defense Director at Lesaffre.

In fact, twenty-six applications were received during the initial phase. At the very end of the selection process, an international jury selected three particularly innovative and ambitious projects led by recognized research institutes and centers.

The winners are:

Professor Wei Wei, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Ecology at Jiangsu University, and Professor Lin Zhu (co-coordinator)

Professor Xu Jian, of the Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS);

Professor Guilan Duan, of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCCES) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Microorganisms at the heart of agricultural transitions

“These three projects demonstrate the potential of microorganisms to address some of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture and the environment. In particular, they aim to develop innovative solutions that promote soil health, the sustainable use of resources, and carbon sequestration. In collaboration with Lesaffre’s research teams, this work will help accelerate the transition to more resilient, productive, and environmentally friendly agricultural systems,” said Jérôme Grislain, director of the Agrauxine by Lesaffre business unit.

The three selected teams are among the most renowned in their field in China. At the CAS Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Professor Guilan Duan leads a leading team in soil environmental sciences, with recognized expertise in soil remediation. Her work on improving soil fertility and carbon management has been recognized with several major national awards.

In Qingdao, the team led by Professor Xu Jian of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is a global pioneer in single-cell analysis based on Raman technology. The team has developed a platform equipped with advanced tools that enable high-throughput metabolic profiling of living microbiome cells, which it will use to improve soil fertility as part of the project. QIBEBT currently coordinates the international iMAPS (in-situ Metabolic Atlas Projects @ Single-cells) network, whose partners apply this technology to the study and conservation of ecosystems on a global scale.

Finally, at Jiangsu University, Professor Wei Wei’s team is a national leader in soil microbiome ecology, while Professor Lin Zhu’s team specializes in the genetic engineering of microbial platforms. Together, they are combining their expertise to develop next-generation microbial solutions.

A sustainable partnership with chinese research

Through this research grant, Lesaffre also aims to deepen its ties with one of the world’s most dynamic research ecosystems. In recent years, China has established itself as a major player in biotechnology and microbiology, driven by strong innovation capabilities and sustained investment in research.

“Going forward, Lesaffre will continue to uphold its corporate mission and invest in local scientific research in China. We will further strengthen our long-term cooperation with national research institutions and academics,” emphasizes Jérôme Vanachter, General Manager of Baking Greater China.

By supporting academic talent, Lesaffre reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the development of an international scientific network capable of bringing forth the solutions of tomorrow to better nourish and protect the planet.