Success Stories

Fewer pesticides for more plant protection - this is the goal of a German-Brazilian team researching antimicrobial peptides to protect citrus fruits from bacterial "cancer infestation".

A new research project aims to examine bacteria that have so far been biotechnologically largely unnoted for their suitability for the bioindustry.

Coffee grounds are more than just waste - they are a valuable resource that can be processed into new bio-based composites. A suitable method was developed as part of the idea competition project BioKaVe.

Feeding the growing world population is one of the greatest tasks of our time. To meet this challenge, the crop yields of wheat must be increased and the most suitable varieties for changing environmental conditions must be found. This is the goal of the BRIWECS project.

Partners from research and industry are working together to develop a warning system to prepare European fisheries and aquaculture for the consequences of climate change. It is intended to identify changes in endangered species at an early stage.

Simply recycling plastic? European researchers believe they can do better. By breaking it down and making its building blocks exploitable for bacteria to create valuable resources, a research consortium plans to upcycle plastics. 

Scientists in Berlin have developed an adhesive protein inspired from mussels and are able to produce the substance from reprogrammed microbes. The adhesive can be used as superglue to treat wounds and bone fractures.

Hanover researchers and their partners hope to develop peanuts with reduced allergenic potential in order to reduce the risk of an immune reaction. 

Using the bioenergy sector as an example, Jena researchers are investigating the extent to which the transition process towards a bioeconomy is affecting the existing global social inequalities.

A fuel cell with a textile anode could make various sewage treatment plants almost energy neutral and also make other biotechnological processes more economical.

Jute bags are a common sight. However, the plant's fibers are also suitable for composite materials, as researchers in the Jute Bio-Comp project are demonstrating.

A research consortium has successfully developed enzymes that allow better dyeing of synthetic fibers and prevent pilling during washing.

A German-Brazilian research association has succeeded in producing fertilizers and biopolymers from residual materials from sugar cane processing.

Enzymes are designed to modernize processes. A German team of researchers has now succeeded in doing the same in the production of sausage skins.

A database of the RWTH Aachen simplifies the analysis of new molecular genetic information from plant research.

Partners from research and industry are in the process of biotechnologically producing the basic chemical 3-hydroxypropanoic acid from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Conventional carbon sources, however, still appear to be more economical.

Researchers from Kiel have put the product milk under the proverbial microscope and examined the entire value chain from the producer to the consumer.

The strategic alliance "NatLifE 2020" investigates the natural world for plant extracts that enhance the flavour of sugar and salt in food - in order to be able to reduce these components in food without affecting the taste.

Rapeseed is an important oilseed, however, it is genetically impoverished. Thus, 14 project partners from industry and science have developed rapeseed lines with additional features.

Microbes require optimised conditions in order to grow efficiently. To this end, Hamburg-based bioprocess engineers are developing smart computer models.