School of Life Sciences
and Facility Management

Current projects of the Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Research Group

FoodN’Feed – Local adaptation and sustainability in grain legume cultivation with soybean as a proof of principle

Close-up of plant roots with multiple small, round nodules attached against a blurred background of green leaves.
Nodules on bean roots. Atmospheric nitrogen-fixing bacteria live inside. (Source: Tomasz - Adobe Stock)

Grain legumes, such as soybeans, faba beans and peas can feed themselves with the help of natural soil bacteria. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizer and lowers emissions. However, these microbial partnerships remain largely untapped.

Our project identifies the most effective native bacteria and fungi to help Swiss protein crops grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient. Using modern DNA tools, we identify root‑dwelling microbes that truly boost plant performance and select the most promising ones as natural, locally adapted biofertilizers.

By improving upon what already exists in our soils, we aim to increase Switzerland’s self‑sufficiency in protein production, reduce environmental impacts, and support a more sustainable agri‑food system. The most successful microbial communities will then be tested across Europe to strengthen plant‑based protein production in a changing climate.

Project duration: 04/2026–03/2030
Project partner: Ecologie Microbienne - Université Lyon 1
Contracting body: SNF / Project Nr. 10006234

ARTeDNA – Fungal diversity in the Royal Botanical Park of Bhutan: soil eDNA and art for conservation and communication

An AI-generated infographic illustrating the workflow of the ARTeDNA project.
An overview of the ARTeDNA project, which combines molecular ecology, on-site fungal sampling, and artistic science communication.

ARTeDNA is a Swiss-Bhutanese project bringing together ZHAW and Bhutan's National Mushroom Center to map the hidden diversity of fungi in the Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi. Despite 15 years of fieldwork, less than 5% of Bhutan's fungal species are known to science. The project uses DNA extracted directly from soil to detect fungi that traditional surveys miss, while training Bhutanese researchers and using visual arts to share the findings with the wider public.

Project duration: 03/2026–03/2027
Project partners: National Mushroom Center (NMC), Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Bhutan)
Funding agency: Leading House South Asia

Chitin integrated seedling pots (CHIPOTS+)

A hand holding a small, compact clump of soil from which a young seedling is growing, with the structure of the root ball visible.
Young plant and seedling substrate. It all starts with a seed!

This project originated from an Open Exploration Workshop organized by the Innovation Booster of Future Food Farming, an Innosuisse-funded initiative supporting innovation through idea development and testing. From 2024 to 2027, the Booster aims to connect farmers and citizens to build a more resilient, sustainable Swiss agro-food and nutrition system by fostering co-created, radical solutions through open innovation.

During a visit to the Z’Alpenblick organic farm in Hirzel, we explored the challenges of reconnecting with the soil. Using a problem-based approach and stakeholder mapping, participants from various sectors identified opportunities. This networking led us to submit a proposal for expert support and development.

Selected for further development, our project evolved over eight weeks through three online incubation sessions funded by an innovation voucher. We then pitched the idea to a jury of eleven experts, who awarded us additional funding for continued development over the next year. While the project details remain confidential, it leverages partner expertise to address key challenges aligned with the Innovation Booster’s mission.

Project duration: 12/2024-05/2026
Project partners:  Suisse Agro Food Leading House, Innovation Booster Future Food Farming, Swiss Food Research, mycostrat GmbH, swissmycel GmbH

Development of an eDNA method for assessing invertebrate biodiversity in urban areas

A bird's-eye view of a city map showing a number of buildings with flat roofs, some of which have green spaces on their roofs, surrounded by streets and a parking lot.
Increasing urbanization is reducing habitats for species and leading to a loss of biodiversity.

As a fundamental basis of life, the sharp decline in biodiversity affects us very directly, and yet preserving it presents us with major challenges. The loss of habitats, particularly in increasingly densely inhabited areas, is one of the main causes of these declines. To counteract these species losses with targeted measures, methods for monitoring biodiversity are essential, and that is precisely where this project comes in. Invertebrates, such as spiders and insects, are also severely affected by these declines. For insects in particular—the most species-rich class of all animals—very large declines have been documented in recent decades.

Like most living organisms, insects and spiders leave traces in their habitats where very small amounts of their DNA can be found. This DNA is also called environmental DNA (eDNA) and is utilized in this project to investigate its potential for assessing biodiversity in urban and urbanized areas. Various techniques are being experimentally tested to extract these DNA traces, and the DNA is sequenced in the laboratory using next-generation sequencing. The goal is to ensure scalability to locations outside the study area.

Project duration: 06/2024-03/2025
Project partner: External

Efficacy of Far-UV-C and development of a rapid test for Botrytis resistance

A collection of petri dishes, each containing varying stages of fungal growth, mostly grayish-white in color, organized in rows against a dark background.
Effect of UV-C Exposure on Botrytis spores.
The spores are eliminated after just 60–120 seconds of UV-C exposure.

The Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology research group at ZHAW is conducting additional studies alongside the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) project, "Non-chemical treatment of strawberry seedlings against Botrytis cinerea". The project includes several modules. One focuses on identifying UV-C wavelengths that are more effective and safer to use (far-UV-C). Unlike conventional UV-C, far-UV-C cannot penetrate human tissue. This module tests the effect of far-UV-C on various pathogens and determines its efficacy. Another module, "Rapid Test Development," involves creating a molecular rapid test to detect Botrytis resistance to botryticides.

Project duration: 11/2022-03/2025
Project partner: Landwirtschaftliche Zentrum Liebegg

List of projects