Բլոգի հայերեն տարբերակը կարդա այստեղ:
"What we often see as bad or waste, in truth, can be transformed into something useful."
This vision lies at the heart of the Biotechnology Project, one of the first research initiatives under ADVANCE Research Grants, which pioneered a comprehensive science funding model in Armenia back in 2020. Led by world-renowned microbiologist Professor Garabed Antranikian, the project recently concluded a four-year journey aimed at tackling Armenia’s environmental challenges by converting waste from whey and wine industries into valuable resources.
- What does biotechnology offer for the future?
- How is biotechnology practiced in Armenia?
- Why biotechnology? Between natural curiosity and career choice
- What are the biggest challenges of science in Armenia?
- Reflections on Armenian identity and sense of belonging
In an insightful conversation with Professor Antranikian, President Emeritus Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Germany and a Member of FAST's Advisory Board, we explored the stakes of biotech breakthroughs, examined the challenges and possibilities in Armenia's scientific ecosystem, and called for a fair assessment of the expectations placed on scientific progress.
Interview with Professor Antranikian
How do you see biotechnology transforming the future and what are the key challenges and opportunities?
Biotechnology is about creating new resources for the future, with enormous potential across various fields—from improving production to making our environment cleaner. However, as we embrace its promises, we must also face the challenges.
On the one hand, we recognize the vast OPPORTUNITIES biotechnology offers:
Take the health sector. Without microbiology, PCR technology, a cornerstone of modern diagnostics would not have been possible. This method relies on microbes to produce enzymes that copy DNA. Had it not been for these microbial innovations—and the substantial investments in research (these enzymes originate from extreme environments)—our ability to combat global pandemics would have been far less certain.
Energy serves as another notable example—the world’s reliance on fossil fuels—gas and oil—poses a challenge, especially as the scarcity of these resources increases. This raises the question: what comes next? Biotechnology offers solutions by creating new, sustainable resources. While solar and wind energy are important, biomass is also a key player that can produce amino acids, vitamins, and other materials traditionally derived from the oil industry, marking a significant shift in the very way of production. Over the next 50 years, transforming industrial processes from oil-based to natural resource-based solutions will be critical. This transition will rely on enzymes, microbes, and fermentation.
Yet, these innovations come at a cost—sometimes double that of conventional methods.
The biggest CHALLENGES are:
- Economic cost: Research projects require huge investments, and many countries underfinance these initiatives if they lack a forward-looking approach or fail to recognize their long-term impact.
- Lack of knowledge and understanding among decision-makers: Many policymakers lack the necessary expertise to fully comprehend the importance of investing in biotechnology. Of course, innovations come at a significant cost, but political support should help address this challenge and drive progress forward.
Take antibiotics. In the past, developing a new antibiotic took around ten years and cost at least a billion dollars. As a result, many companies have stopped antibiotic research, deeming it too expensive. This poses a serious risk, as new microbes continue to emerge, increasing the likelihood of future infection crises, much like COVID-19. To prevent such scenarios, governments must invest in antibiotic development early rather than waiting until a crisis unfolds.
Across all sectors—agriculture, food, and beyond—biotechnology will be essential in the coming years.
Advancing biotechnology in Armenia: What are the lessons learned from the 4-year journey with ADVANCE Research Grants?
I've always wanted to contribute to Armenia. Since 2005, I've been affiliated with the Armenian scientific community as a member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. However, my capacity to contribute was limited. That changed when FAST approached me with the concept of the ADVANCE Research Grants, which provided channels to unite a capable team and pursue long-term initiatives that could generate real impact.
I proposed launching a biotechnology project focused on creating a more sustainable environment. One approach was recycling waste, such as whey from cheese production or byproducts from wine, and use it as a source of bioenergy, as many materials labeled as waste aren’t truly waste. In Armenia, there are several innovative groups at Yerevan State University and National Academy of Sciences, working in this field. However, these fragmented efforts lacked coordination.
ADVANCE provided a unified platform to foster collaboration and maximize its impact
From Prof. Garabed Antranikian’s archive: Scientific investigation in Jermuk within the ADVANCE Project.
I suggested we try to create something that combines basic science with practical applications. We worked on developing methods to degrade plastic materials, including microplastics, by identifying bacteria that can break them down.
By studying these sources, we aimed to create a community of bacteria capable of degrading microplastics, recycling materials, generating energy, and producing useful products. That was the core idea behind our initiative. We brought together a team of about ten scientists to work on it.
Our approach emphasized collaboration across multiple scientific disciplines—biology, chemistry, microbiology, and entomology. Being biologists alone wasn’t enough. We needed chemists for analytics and experts from other fields to bring in diverse perspectives.
I hope this collaboration serves as an example and inspires more joint efforts within Armenian universities.
Why biotechnology? How did your early experiences shape your career choice in science?
My passion for biology started in my childhood in Jordan. As one of the 3 children of Armenian immigrant parents, with my father being a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, we were living modestly.
Archival photo from Professor Garabed Antranikian’s collection: His father, Josef Antranikian (second from right), in Jerusalem. Born in Sebastia (now Sivas), he was the sole survivor of his family of over 50, massacred during the Armenian Genocide (1915–1920).
We didn’t have many toys to play with—especially compared to today's world filled with computers and gadgets. Since we didn't have toys, we had to go outside and observe what was happening in nature— I was looking at flies, ants, other animals and whatever else I could find.
I think curiosity was one of the reasons I became interested in biology and learning about nature.
Then I went to school, and in addition to my early curiosity, another important factor came into play: the role of a teacher. One of them, a biologist, truly motivated me. We studied genetics, and I even made a big poster explaining Mendel's theory—showing how a red plant and a white plant can produce a pink one. And from that moment, it was clear to me that I would pursue biology.
In Jordan, Armenian schools only went up to the 6th grade, so after the age of 12, options for continuing education were limited, especially since quality education wasn't always accessible.
At that time, my mother worked as a tailor at the British embassy in Jordan, so I went with her and asked the ambassador if I could study at the local English school. Getting there was difficult because it was very expensive. Since my mom worked there, they allowed me to attend. The school was excellent and gave me a strong chance to enter a top university in the Middle East.
From Prof. Garabed Antranikian’s archive: High school graduation, 1970, English School in Amman.
The best option was the American University of Beirut, which was extremely expensive, but I received scholarships from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), which made it possible for me to study there.
During my master's, a civil war broke out in Beirut, and I spent the duration of my studies working in a hospital and lab until I completed my degree. I initially planned to pursue my PhD in the U.S., but the road to the American embassy, located thousands of meters from my university, was frequently under siege, making access impossible. Thereafter, I applied to the nearby German embassy and moved to Göttingen. I was fortunate to join the prestigious Microbiology Institute, where I had the privilege of working with the renowned Professor Gerhard Gottschalk.
From Prof. Garabed Antranikian’s archive: With renowned microbiologist Prof. Gerhard Gottschalk.
From modest beginnings in Jordan to receiving one of Europe’s most prestigious environmental awards. What is the science behind this achievement?
From Professor Garabed Antranikian’sarchive: Receiving the German Environmental Award in 2004 from the President of Germany, alongside Mrs. Hannelore Schmidt
The German Environmental Prize recognizes significant contributions to environmental protection and sustainability. Winning it was a huge honor, especially coming from a modest background in Jordan.
I developed enzymes and microbes for products like washing detergents, offering a gentler alternative to harsh chemicals and high temperatures. These enzymes are now used worldwide. I also worked on waste recycling, developing methods to convert waste into valuable products using microbes and enzymes, including degrading materials like feathers. Additionally, we replaced chemicals with enzymes in industries like chemicals and food production, reducing environmental impact. Over the past 10-15 years, these innovations have been recognized as essential for the future, culminating in the environmental prize.
What are your thoughts on the current state of science in Armenia and what are the biggest challenges that need to be addressed?
The scientific landscape in Armenia is fragmented, with many groups working in isolation rather than using collective strengths. There is a pressing need to foster greater cooperation among universities and research institutions. Օrganizations such as FAST play a critical role in catalyzing collaboration, however, more systemic efforts are required to create a more integrated scientific community.
The benefits of collaboration are evident. For instance, through our ADVANCE project, I can say that while working on one project, we were able to form many new, international ones, including a partnership with a Hamburg based company (Microharvest), as well as participation in the Eurasia project, a collaboration with Yerevan State University, Germany, and Kazakhstan. Thus, coming together can lead to tangible outcomes and open doors for future collaborations.
Another challenge is management and commercialization. You may have high-quality research, but if there is a significant gap in areas like patenting, logistics, and technology transfer, you may fail to transition into market-ready solutions. This is where collaboration with professionals skilled in these domains becomes crucial.
Indeed, management of research and innovation is a critical challenge for Armenia. Too often, researchers, driven by fear of failure, focus primarily on optimizing existing solutions. However, this doesn't lead to true innovation. Innovation requires a shift in mindset—it's not enough to merely optimize what already exists. Instead, we must look for completely new approaches, ask people to be creative and invite them to discuss options.
There is a need for a modernization in Armenia’s academic and research infrastructure, particularly in optimizing resources and university systems. With a relatively small population, Armenia cannot afford to maintain 60 universities and distribute its limited resources—merging forces and expertise could significantly enhance efficiency and the nation’s ability to respond to advancements.
Bridging Horizons in Biotechnology—consulting series for Armenian researchers by the ADVANCE Biotechnology team, 2024.
There is also a need to inspire more interest in science among the younger generation. Starting from schools, we must show students how science can solve the big problems facing our planet. In my own university in Hamburg, we partner with 50 schools, offering students regular opportunities to visit labs, conduct experiments, and present their findings. These programs motivate students and spark a passion for science early on.
Last but not least, science isn’t only about research—it’s about storytelling. Many Armenians often struggle with this, as we are too shy to share the significance of our work. Yet, effectively communicating our research is essential. We must be able to present our findings with confidence and make clear the impact they could have on solving global challenges.
Despite these challenges, there have been notable positive developments in Armenia’s scientific community over the last four years. Investment in research has increased, and you can see that there is a movement. Armenia has important resources, both natural and human, and with the right focus on developing the technologies needed to harness these resources, the country has the potential to turn this momentum into lasting progress.
How has Armenian heritage shaped your sense of belonging across cultures?
I visit Armenia at least twice a year, spending several weeks there each time. However, my connection to Armenia began much earlier, with my parents who ensured that we spoke Armenian at home, even though we were surrounded by Arabic speakers.
I am fluent in Armenian, Arabic, German, English, and even Turkish. Learning Turkish was essential, as my Armenian grandparents, who lived in eastern Turkey, were not allowed to speak Armenian.
For me, speaking multiple languages is a way of preserving my identity. It’s a way of saying, “I am from everywhere, and yet I am from somewhere very specific.”
The ADVANCE Biotechnology Project (2020–2024) was co-funded and co-implemented in partnership with Yerevan State University. The research team included Anna Poladyan, Hovik Panosyan, Ani Paloyan, Sargis Aghayan, Karen Trchounian, Armine Margaryan, Diana Ghevondyan, Ella Minasyan, Lev Khoyetsyan, Maneh M. Tadevosiann, and Rima Avetisyan.
Following the successful completion of its initiatives, ADVANCE Research Grants has been officially spun off and now operates under the administration of the Higher Education and Science Committee of Armenia.
