Bioeconomy

The BioRegio STERN Management GmbH and the Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH sent out invitations to the 7th Brüssels Background entitled Bio-energy Out of research. Into practice. Experts presented and discussed the latest figures and information on the subject of bio-energy.

The biotechnology sector is growing and new companies have excellent opportunities to establish themselves on the market. Dr. Michael Steinwand explains what companies have to beware.

German research institutions and companies are invited to submit project proposals up until 31st May 2008.

Proposals for projects involving German and Argentinean partners can be submitted up until the 30th May 2008.

Article - 10/03/2008

Sharks and the evolution of the locomotory apparatus

Zoologists at the University of Tübingen are investigating the biomechanics of swimming and the evolution of the muscles and tendons needed for swimming. Detailed information on how fish adapt to specific lifestyles help in the development of robot fish.

Dr. Wolfgang Fiedler head of the Radolfzell ornithological station was practically born into his profession. Born on the Mettnau peninsula which is close to the station Fiedler spent hours and hours watching birds as a child. Later when he was at school he worked as a volunteer in the ornithological station.

The biologist Dr. Thomas Schmitt is investigating how chemical communication an ancient form of dialogue developed during the evolution of insects. Although at first sight his investigations may appear to be basic research some of Schmitts findings also have the potential for practical application for example in combating pests in vineyards.

Proposals must be submitted by 30th April 2008 at the latest.

A wide spectrum of high quality support is available to young scientists in Germany. This is the conclusion of the government report on support for young scientists Bundesbericht zur Förderung des Wissenschaftlichen Nachwusches - BuWiN presented by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Article - 28/02/2008

The continent of 'trunk' animals

Molecular phylogenetic analyses have led to the radical rearrangement of mammalian systematics. Afrotheria a clade of mammals including elephants and shrew-like animals are nowadays regarded as the largest group of placental mammals.

The German government and the state of Baden-Württemberg have agreed to the merger between Karlsruhe University and the Karlsruhe Research Centre to be known as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT.

With the investment of 4.2 per cent of its gross domestic product in research and development Baden-Württemberg leads other German states and European countries in this sector. The 27 European states spent an average of only 1.8 per cent.

Article - 16/02/2008

Bioenergy project for the reduction of greenhouse gases

The German EnBW AG and the University of Hohenheim will investigate the viability of sustainable of jatropha plants with the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gases. A contract for this particular land use has recently been signed.

In its applied science and technology transfer activities Constance University of Applied Sciences will focus to an even greater extent on special research priorities and interdisciplinarity. For this reason three new institutes have been set up.

The German VDI has published new guidelines on how to determine the effects of genetically modified organisms. The guidelines should help amass information about changes in vegetation caused by genetically modified plants.

A software developed by the Stuttgart-based Systemhaus Schegel covers all activities related to administering cultures it guarantees the foolproof production and propagation of plants and when printed out on a thermal printer incorporates all the necessary information on a barcode label.

The German Bundestag gave the go ahead for the new version of the German Genetic Engineering Law. The new version incorporates the introduction of the Not genetically engineered label as well as stricter regulations on the cultivation of genetically modified plants.

An outline of ideas or a proposal must be sent up until 14th May 2008.

According to estimates by the German Federal Minister of Research and Education Annette Schavan Germany is on the right path towards the objective of spending three per cent of the countrys gross domestic product on research and development RD by the year 2010.

German biotech companies are optimistic about 2008. So says a survey conducted by the German Biotechnology Industry Association BIO Deutschland e.V. in cooperation with the biotech magazine transkript.

Scientists from Freiburg have made a significant contribution to deciphering the moss genome. The challenging sequencing job was accomplished using state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods under the leadership of the Freiburg scientist Dr. Stefan Rensing.

Article - 26/01/2008

How atoms assemble into new molecules

Scientists from the University of Freiburg have now been able to decipher one of the most important chemical reaction classes. They showed that the substitution of atoms during the reaction process works in a different way than previously assumed.

Prof. Dr. Michael Wink is coordinating the Molecular Evolution research project at the University of Heidelberg which deals with topics such as evolutionary research biodiversity and systematics as well as molecular ecology. Modern DNA analysis methods have shed new light on the relationships between birds of prey.

Baden-Württemberg will provide an additional 16.5 million euros for the rehabilitation of the biology building and the State Institute of Agricultural Chemistry at the University of Hohenheim both of which are central buildings required by the life science priorities.

With the entry of the company name in the commercial register of the Ludwigshafen district court on 14th January 2008 BASF Aktiengesellschafts transformation to a European company was officially completed.