Strategic alliances

Clustering of basic and applied research opens new paths. Shared expertise and infrastructures undoubtedly leads to new insights, efficiency gains and innovation opportunities.

Ghent University

The Plant Systems Biology Center was built on the foundations of Ghent University's Laboratory of General Genetics, pioneered by Jeff Schell and Marc Van Montagu. In 1995, the laboratory was integrated into the newly created VIB, and at the same time remained embedded in the Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from Ghent University

VIB and ILVO, going strong together since 2016

The unique alliance of VIB and the Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Research (ILVO) bring together two partners with complementary expertise, thereby creating a strong bridge between the research laboratory and the field. VIB is responsible for basic research and ILVO uses applied research and field work to study the results in more depth. This combination of forces means that scientific discoveries can be translated more rapidly into tangible added value for farmers, society and the environment.

The partnership also leads to further cementing the international position of both institutions. By offering the entire process, from basic research to practical evaluation, VIB and ILVO became even stronger players both in Europe and globally.

Discover the citizen science project on growing local soybeans of VIB and ILVO

Soybean is one of the most important plant-derived protein sources for food and feed. In addition, soybean cultivation also improves soil quality and reduces nitrogen pollution making it a sustainable crop. However, it is currently challenging to cultivate soy in Belgium with an acceptable yield, in part because soybean requires interaction with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules.

We invited 1000 citizens to grow soy in their own garden. We will isolate endogenous Rhizobium bacteria from soy plants grown in Belgian soil and collect data regarding soil type, microorganisms, and soy variety. With this information, we can develop guidelines on optimal cultivation methods for soy in our region. In the long-term, this should help to produce tailor-made seeds inoculated with nitrogen-fixating bacteria that are adapted to local soil conditions and can improve soy yields.

VIB partners with NCSU: One plus one makes three

VIB is also a strategic partner of North Carolina State University (NC State). Both knowledge institutes are internationally leading players in plant biotech research. This combined with their strong interaction with their local agricultural biotechnology clusters, respectively the Ghent Cluster (Belgium) and the AgBio[sphere] in Research Triangle Park (US), makes them unique partners within the global agricultural biotechnology ecosystem. With this collaboration VIB and NC State combine the best of both worlds by exchanging researchers, starting collaborations, and setting up new companies together. This collaboration offers growth potential in the sector both in Belgium and in North Carolina.

RIKEN Center of Sustainable Resource Science (Japan)

VIB also as a formal agreement for research cooperation with the RIKEN Center of Sustainable Resource Science in Yokahama, Japan.

Plant Biotechnology and Breeding (Plant B&B)

VIB is part of the international network Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (Plant B&B) set up by Ghent University. This network unites international institutions’ expertise to improve plant health and climate resilience in a range of crops (e.g. cassava, banana, lentil, chickpea), providing food nutrition and security to millions of people worldwide.