Navarra project engineers custom bacteria for health and food

A Navarre-based project has ended after over two years of research, creating synthetic biomolecules and modified bacteria aimed at improving health, food safety, and industrial decarbonisation. Coordinated by Cima University of Navarra, the seven-partner SYNTHBIOMICS consortium received €1.46 million. Results include nanobody libraries for diagnostics/therapeutics, biosensor elements to detect food contaminants, and bacteria engineered to convert carbon-rich gases into useful chemicals. Funded under Navarra’s SIBERIA strategic biotechnology challenge, the project now moves to validating candidates and optimising microbial routes for future industrial applications.