Micro- and nanoscale robotic platforms have captured the attention of researchers due to their remarkable ability to perform tailored tasks with unparalleled precision and minimal invasiveness. These robots hold great promise, with the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from biomedicine to environmental applications. From catalytic to externally actuated robots (i.e., magnetic, light), these robots offer the possibility of targeted drug delivery and enhanced reactivity due to their autonomous motion. Moreover, the recent interest in the collective behavior of micro- and nanorobots as swarms has gone hand-in-hand with the implementation of degradable materials to ensure its later removal from the body. Currently, the main focus in the field relies on the design, fabrication, and implementation of such robots, with special emphasis on achieving proper delivery, manipulation and final automation of large quantities of them. In addition, it is also important to explore cost-efficient and mass-production fabrication techniques to ensure that micro- and nanorobots can be manufactured and deployed at scale. However, one aspect that has not received enough attention is the waste management cycle associated with the fabrication and use of these robots. In the GREENS project, we aim to implement for the first time the 5R (Reduce, Recycle, Rethink, Repair, and Reuse) principle from the manufacturing to the final implementation and removal of nano/micro robotic platforms, always accounting for the sustainability of the overall process to minimize the impact of fabricating/applying them to the environment. This initiative is aligned with the sustainable development goals established by the European Comission (EC), and is of great importance to the Environmental Action Program from the EC.

The Horizon Europe project MobiHdic (New model organism for biotechnology: Haslea diatoms and the omic approaches) aims at developing a new model organism, the marine benthic diatom Haslea ostrearia, using interdisciplinary and multi-omic approaches, for fundamental research and industrial applications. The project MobiHdic will capitalize on the outcomes of the H2020 GHaNA project (The Genus Haslea, New marine resources for blue biotechnology and Aquaculture, grant agreement No 734708/GHaNA/H2020-MSCA-RISE-2016) (March 2017 – February 2021), which explored the biodiversity and characterized a new marine bioresource, the diatom genus Haslea, for applications mainly in bivalve aquaculture. The main outcomes of the GHaNA project are so far: - increased knowledge in the biodiversity and biogeography of the genus Haslea (new species identified) - draft genomes of different strains and species of blue and non-blue Haslea - better knowledge about the photobiology of blue Haslea - progress in the culture and production of blue Haslea in photobioreactors (PBR) at the lab scale - description of isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway in Haslea - new insights in marennine chemical nature (polysaccharides associated to a specific chromophore) - assessment of the antibacterial activities of marennine and application to bivalve models MobiHdic general objectives Capitalizing on these main achievements, the project MobiHdic will allow exploring new research avenues for which a long-lasting effort is needed and new expertise required, some of them being fundamental and others more applied-oriented. This is the rationale that underpins the MobiHdic project, the overall objective of which being to develop a new model of phytoplankton experimental organism, the diatom Haslea ostrearia, using interdisciplinary and multi-omic approaches for fundamental aspects and biotechnology and health applications. Expected outputs of the MobiHdic project will concern: - reference genome, genetics, epigenetics, stability / evolution of genomes - transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics in Haslea diatoms - environmental genomics and Haslea ecology - varietal selection, maintenance, improvement and characterization of strains - upscale of benthic algal production systems and development of downstream processes - biotechnology, transformation, molecular engineering, synthetic biology - identification of original biosynthesis pathways of marennine-like pigments and HBIs - high-value product applications in: o health and cosmetic industry (antiproliferative / antimicrobial compound, natural blue pigment) o food and feed (prebiotic- or probiotic-like compounds) o marennine-like pigments as sensitive element in electrochemical biosensors o new biosilica-based functionalized materials (e.g., nanoporous materials in solar panels) To fulfill these objectives, the consortium MobiHdic will gather all the required expertise in (1) biology and physiology of phytoplankton, (2) chemistry and physics applied to natural compounds, (3) molecular biology, multi-omics and bioinformatics, and (4) biotechnology applied to microalgae.

Microalgae biomass holds a great potential to become the reference source of sustainable ingredients for a broad range of bio-based industries. However, it is still an underexploited feedstock in Europe, mostly used to produce low volume/high value products, due to lack of cost-competitive technological solutions for cultivation and biorefinery processes. MULTIPLY aims to demonstrate economically feasible and environmentally sustainable microalgae cultivation and biorefinery processes, for the provision of valuable algal ingredients, suited for the formulation of mid-price products for the food, feed, biomaterials, lubricants and cosmetics sectors. By enhancing and upscaling efficient, innovative and green technologies for the main steps of microalgae cultivation and downstream processing, implementing circular economy approaches and incorporating advanced monitoring and digital tools, MULTIPLY will increase productivity, reduce the use of resources and associated costs and improve the environmental performance of the processes. Based on 5 microalgae species, MULTIPLY will deliver 10 products of improved environmental impact, meeting market requirements. Led by the industry and backed up on institutes and universities of excellence, MULTIPLY brings together microalgae primary producers from southern and northern Europe, technology developers, researchers and industrial end-users of algae ingredients. A strong dissemination, communication and exploitation strategy will ensure an effective uptake of the project results, enabled by a better understanding of the social acceptance drivers and stimulating the enhanced public acceptance for algae-based products and processes. MULTIPLY will create new value chains, paving the way for the deployment of a sustainable, circular and digital microalgae industry in Europe.