Bioeconomy

Article - 04/02/2010

A very special tree house

Architects at the University of Stuttgart not only copy constructive and functional principles from nature, they also use plants whilst they are still growing to create buildings that will become green areas in the truest sense of the word. The first large construction, a tower made from willows, is almost fully grown. Further constructions are planned in the near future.

Article - 01/02/2010

Succinic acid – producing a green platform chemical with biotech

Fermentative Production of Succinic Acid is the title of one of the projects being worked on by the BiopolymersBiomaterials cluster in Baden-Württemberg. Researchers from BASF SE one of the project partners have isolated a bacterium with highly promising properties including the ability to use glycerine a waste product of biodiesel production as substrate for the efficient production of succinic acid.

Press release - 21/01/2010

Driving cars with biogas produced from biological waste

The ETAMAX research project brings together partners from research, the energy sector and industry and is aimed at using a combined, modular process to produce biogas from low-lignocellulosic waste such as supermarket waste and micro-algal biomass, at the same time as closing all substance cycles. The regenerative biomethane will be used to fuel a small fleet of gas-driven vehicles.

Article - 14/01/2010

A biological test for environmental toxins

Every day, we breathe in gas emitted by waste incineration plants, evaporation from chemicals in wooden furniture and particulate matter from car exhausts or office equipment. Scientists in Dr. Richard Gminski’s group at the Institute of Environmental Medicine and Hospital Hygiene (IUK) at the Freiburg University Medical Centre are investigating the components that can cause damage to body cells. The researchers are using living human cells to…

Article - 14/01/2010

BioPat: professionalised bionics research

Nature is being used as a model for new technical developments in the field of bionics. Nature’s huge potential as a source of inspiration is systematically explored with the “BioPat” search tool. Developers at the Fraunhofer IAO combine their BioPat software with an analysis to detect bionics potential which is aimed at speeding the passage of interesting natural phenomena into engineering departments.

Dossier - 11/01/2010

Green genetic engineering – a controversial future technology

Green genetic engineering comprises a plethora of methods that enable the production of genetically modified (i.e. transgenic) plants by introducing extra genes, which are often foreign to the species into which they are introduced, into a plant genome. The number to be introduced can vary from one single gene to several genes. For example, in order to establish a new and foreign metabolic pathway in a particular plant, several genes need to be…

Article - 05/01/2010

Biocatalysis – a perfect mission for Bernhard Hauer

Even though human beings are great inventors, nature itself frequently comes up with the best solutions. One good example is enzymes: in contrast to the processes used in the technical-chemical production of basic industrial substances, enzymatic biocatalysis saves energy, raw materials and reduces side and waste products. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hauer, the new director of the Institute of Technical Biochemistry (ITB) at the University of Stuttgart is…

Article - 14/12/2009

Marvel GmbH – ecological materials with a sophisticated design

Marvel GmbH, based in Bad Teinach, has set itself the goal of combining innovative materials with sophisticated design and where safety, fire protection and acoustic properties go hand in hand with attractiveness, high-quality design and sustainability. The company uses its own innovative biomaterial called “Marvel Bioresin”.

Article - 11/12/2009

Genome sequencing of grapevines that are resistant to fungi

In cooperation with the company SEQ.IT the Julius Kühn Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof has sequenced the fungus-resistant grapevine variety Regent and has succeeded in obtaining a first grapevine breeding milestone for viticulture. The sequence provides the researchers with insights into the grapevines typical mildew resistances on the molecular level and helps them understand the resistance mechanisms from the analysis of the…

Press release - 10/12/2009

Hydrogen from microalgae

Hydrogen (H2) produced from water has great potential to be an environmentally friendly energy carrier of the future. However, the future application of hydrogen and other CO2-neutral sustainable fuels also requires the development of production methods that can contribute to the energy supply of tomorrow. Some unicellular green algae and cyanobacteria use light to break up water into hydrogen and oxygen. In cooperation with eight partners, KIT…

Press release - 08/12/2009

Vaccination of honeybees against the Varroa mite is possible

For the first time ever, honeybees were orally ‚vaccinated’ with a genetically engineered product that was later detected in the bloodsucking Varroa mite. This product is a DNA-plasmid that is normally used for man, horses, swine and also for fish. The inventor of this innovative DNA-vaccination system for bees is Matthias Giese, PhD, who launches his own Institute for Molecular Vaccines (IMV) in Heidelberg/Germany starting in 2010.

Article - 07/12/2009

Exhaust air and wastewater: how to clean them correctly

The chemical industry, companies that build engines, hospitals and printing shops – they all discharge exhaust air and wastewater containing compounds that have a detrimental effect on the environment and/or human health. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart are investigating ways to counteract specific waste problems, including biological methods.

Article - 01/12/2009

Ralf Takors – a bio-engineer

Multidisciplinary talent, people who can combine biological knowledge in an outstanding way with engineering, is in great demand. Ralf Takors, who has been head of the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering (IBVT) at the University of Stuttgart since July 2009, is one such talent.

Article - 30/11/2009

well ausstellungssystem GmbH – promoting the use of sustainable wooden materials

Hanover-based well Ausstellungssystem GmbH sells environmentally-friendly wooden materials for furniture and booth construction, interior and product design and promotes its new wooden sheeting kraftplex® for use in high-tech innovations. Wellboard, the wooden composite in waves, is already being used in theatres, shop windows and museums.

Article - 30/11/2009

Cells to analyse air

Exhaust gases smoke generated by industry and private household combustion processes every day we inhale a mixture of a broad range of particulate matter potentially resulting in respiratory tract or cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Silvia Diabat and her team from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT are examining the molecular mechanisms triggered by flue ash and other nanoparticles in the cells of the lung tissue.

Dossier - 24/11/2009

Environmental medicine and biosensor technology

Smog, chemicals in rivers, particular matter from copying machines in offices – human beings are exposed to many toxic influences. Environmental medical specialists are investigating the effect that these kinds of substances have at the same time as trying to find ways to reduce their influence on human health as much as possible. Molecular and cell biologists and even biotechnologists all have a key part to play in these efforts. On the one…

Press release - 18/11/2009

Further expansion of the KIT’s bioliq® pilot plant

The bioliq® process developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) enables the production of fully synthetic diesel and petrol from straw and other residues that accumulate in agriculture and forestry. Following the first and second expansion stages, the KIT is now able to move on to the next two stages, involving gas purification and fuel synthesis at the pilot plant. The German and Baden-Württemberg governments are providing a total…

Press release - 13/11/2009

Second-generation biofuels

The Distillery for Research and Training at the University of Hohenheim has been reopened after the completion of renovation work costing around 1.2 million euros. The distillery is now equipped with a computer-operated process-control system and modern sensors, all state-of-the-art technology for the fermentation processes at Hohenheim. The new distillery pilot plant has a fermentation room for work with genetically modified organisms.…

Press release - 10/11/2009

Genes and proteins can’t explain everything

Andreas Wachter has been the head of the Emmy Noether research group at the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP) at the University of Tübingen since 2009. Of particular interest to Wachter are the molecular regulation mechanisms in key biological processes. He is the first person to transfer the latest insights from bacteria research to plant cells and stresses the importance of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in these vital processes.

Article - 09/11/2009

Keeping an eye on reed decline

The reed zones around Europes lakes are becoming increasingly smaller. The biologist Dr. Jan Nechwatal at the University of Constance is investigating the causes of reed decline and has identified a previously unknown plant pest.

Article - 28/10/2009

Worn down and financially exhausted, but more popular than ever

When academic toxicologists in a German state join forces, it is virtually headline news. This is because the discipline is on the red list. Only in Baden-Württemberg does the number of toxicologists at university institutes justify the joining of forces. The ironic thing about this is that the competence of the rare species ”toxicologicus” is in greater demand than ever.

Dossier - 27/10/2009

Fungi – an introduction

After animals and plants fungi are the third largest kingdom of eukaryotic organisms. Most people see them as plants because they typically grow in soil and do not move around like animals in the search for food supermarkets sell edible mushrooms such as white mushrooms and shiitake. But no fungi are capable of carrying out photosynthesis themselves the fungal energy metabolism is driven by organic molecules of dead and sometimes also living…

Article - 27/10/2009

Green genetic engineering now conquers the ornamental plant market as well

A blue carnation developed in Australia was the first genetically modified ornamental plant sold around the world. The Stuttgart-based company Ornamental Bioscience GmbH now plans to use the same approach with far more practical goals in mind: water-saving summer flowers and tropical plants that are resistant to the cold, both of which have many concrete advantages and not just for consumers.

Article - 23/10/2009

Agrano – organic yeast for the industry

Riegel-based Agrano GmbH & Co. has been producing Bioreal Organic Yeast since 1996. The company is a subsidiary of Hanover-based Martin Braun KG, which is a member of the Oetker Group. The company’s product is used by bakers in the production of organically flawless bread as well as makers of 100% organic soups and spreads.

Article - 22/10/2009

On the track of fascinating diatoms

Diatoms make a considerable contribution to the production of oxygen and biomass in the worlds oceans and aquatic ecosystems. However up until now little is known about the molecular biology and chemistry of these eukaryotic algae. Prof. Peter Kroth and his team at the University of Constance are hoping to shed more light on these algae. The team has recently been involved in the deciphering of the Phaeodactylum tricornutum genome research that…