Angela Sessitsch and her team awarded 2nd place at the Houska Prize with Endoboost.

The Houska Prize of the B&C Private Foundation is considered the most important research prize for applied research in Austria. This year, Angela Sessitsch, Head of Competence Unit Bioresources at the AIT Center for Health and Bioresources with her team, is honored with the second place in the category "Non-University Research". The team won the award for their work on EndoBoost, a technology that uses endophytes in food production in the field to replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Endophytes are microorganisms that colonize the inside of plants and naturally promote their growth, health and resistance to stress. The research team at AIT is conducting research on strains and delivery technologies that ensure effective colonization of plants by endophytes. Endophytes are a sustainable alternative to resource-intensive and, sometimes harmful to humans, chemicals used in agriculture.

With the Houska Prize, the B&C Private Foundation recognizes innovative research and development projects and their economic impact. The prize is endowed with a total of 750,000 euros and is awarded annually in various categories. In addition to EndoBoost, twelve other projects were nominated for the Houska Prize 2023, including submissions from Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria and Vienna.

The work of Angela Sessitsch and her team contributes to making food production more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The use of endophytes as an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides can help reduce dependence on fossil raw materials and minimize the use of chemicals in agriculture. The Houskapreis thus recognizes not only the team's outstanding research work at AIT, but also their contribution to strengthening Austria as a business location and sustainably improving the environment.

The Houska Prize: https://bcgruppe.at/houskapreis/
The Competence Unit Bioresources: https://www.ait.ac.at/themen/bioresources