TreeBioTEC ERA Chair Project Launched at the University of Tartu

The University of Tartu has officially launched the ERA-Chair in Tree Bioengineering (TreeBioTEC) project, funded under the Horizon Europe programme. The five-year initiative started on March 1, 2025, and will run until February 28, 2030, with an EU contribution of €2,499,080 (Grant Agreement ID: 101187823).

TreeBioTEC aims to establish a tree bioengineering research group at the Institute of Bioengineering at the University of Tartu. The project is led by ERA Chair holder Prof. Yrjö Eero Helariutta, a leading figure in plant developmental biology worldwide, who works both at the University of Tartu and the University of Helsinki. His role is to mentor and guide the new research group, focusing on enhancing birch trees’ photosynthesis, growth rates, and resilience. These innovations will support reforestation, carbon capture, and soil bioremediation in contaminated mining areas, contributing to sustainable forest biorefining solutions.

The project is coordinated by Prof. Hannes Kollist, Professor of Molecular Plant Biology at the Institute of Bioengineering. Together, the team will strengthen research excellence in Estonia and foster collaboration with industry partners in Estonia and Finland.

Advancing biotechnological innovation in the forest biorefining sector is crucial for Europe’s climate objectives and the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Recent geopolitical events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have highlighted the need for alternative supply chains and industry resilience. In Estonia, the decline of the fossil-based industrial region in the northeast accelerates the shift toward sustainable solutions, creating opportunities for innovation and environmental restoration.

The TreeBioTEC project will not only drive scientific progress but also raise public awareness of bioengineering and position Estonia as a leader in forest biotechnology.