Plants generate valuable secondary metabolic compounds, which can be used as
pharmaceuticals.
Most of these compounds are so complex that their chemical synthesis is not
economically feasible. This is why biotechnology opens up a whole new avenue
of possibilities. The SmartCell project will focus on terpene compounds,
which are valuable for the pharmaceutical industry. These compounds for
example are used in the treatment of cancer and malaria. The expertise and
technology created during the project can be applied to a considerable
extent in developing the biotechnological production of other compound
groups in plants and plant cells.

"The opportunities offered by plant biotechnology could be much more
extensively exploited in the pharmaceutical industry. The latest research
methods can be used to intensify the production of valuable agents in plant
cells; in a manner of speaking, plant cells could become real ?green
factories'," says project coordinator, Chief Research Scientist Kirsi-Marja
Oksman-Caldentey of VTT.

The SmartCell project brings together research partners from fourteen
leading European research institutes and universities as well as three small
and medium-sized and two major industrial enterprises. In addition to VTT,
the project participants include e.g. VIB (Belgium), Leiden University (the
Netherlands), Lleida University (Spain) and Fraunhofer IME Aachen,
(Germany). The project's total budget is EUR 8.5 million, of which the EU's
contribution is EUR 6 million. The contractual negotiations will soon be
concluded, and the project will start in January 2009.

About VTT Technical Research Centre
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland the biggest multitechnological
applied research organisation in Northern Europe. VTT provides high-end
technology solutions and innovation services. From its wide knowledge base,
VTT can combine different technologies, create new innovations and a
substantial range of world class technologies and applied research services
thus improving its clients' competitiveness and competence. Through its
international scientific and technology network, VTT can produce
information, upgrade technology knowledge, create business intelligence and
value added to its stakeholders. VTT is a non-profit-making research
organisation.
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