Bioeconomy News

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Synthetische Biologie
The researchers want to construct minimal biological systems from chemical building blocks.

New Max Planck Center for Minimal Biology

In Bristol, England, the Max Planck Society is establishing a research center for synthetic biology with the local university: the Max Planck-Bristol Center in Minimal Biology.

Ackerbau-intensive landwirtschaft
Intensive agriculture leads to increased yields, but also to the loss of biodiversity.

Meta-analysis: higher yield, less diversity

Higher yields in intensive agriculture come at the expense of biodiversity. This is the conclusion of a meta-analysis conducted by environmental researchers from Leipzig.

Anja Ramsperger M.Sc. bei der Untersuchung von Wasserflöhen in einem Labor der Bayreuther Tierökologie.
Anja Ramsperger investigating water fleas in a laboratory of Bayreuth Animal Ecology.

Plastic particles disrupt water flea communication

Plastic waste in the water attract the water fleas' chemical cues, thereby undermining the defence strategies of the tiny crustaceans.

Ein 12 Tage alter Keimling der Modellpflanze Ackerschmalwand (Arabidopsis)
Using the example of thale cress, plant researchers at the University of Cologne investigated the plant immune system.

How plants stop infections

Guardian molecules detect bacterial intruders in plants and induce the death of the affected cell, as German and Chinese researchers found out.

Können Bakterien Putzmittel verbessern? Wohl eher nicht, sagen Experten des Karlsruher Instituts für Techologie.
Can bacteria improve cleaning agents? Not likely, as experts at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology say.

Microbial cleaners put to the test

A closer look at cleaning products containing probiotic bacteria reveals that they are useless, as investigations by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have shown.

Erste Tests von Reifen mit dem naturidentischen, biomimetischen Synthesekautschuk BISYKA zeigen, dass diese etwa 30 bis 50 Prozent weniger Abrieb im Vergleich zu Naturkautschukreifen erzeugen.
Initial tests of tires with BISYKA, a biomimetic synthetic rubber that is identical to natural rubber, have shown that they cause around 30 to 50 percent less abrasion than natural rubber tires.

A better rubber

Fraunhofer researchers have developed an artificial alternative to natural rubber - with superior properties.

Metallische Hohlkugel mit Pilzenzymen. Die Enzymreaktion (blaue Corona) ist mit einem Farbstoff sichtbar gemacht.
Hollow metal ball with fungal enzymes. The enzyme reaction (blue corona) is made visible with a dye.

Biofilter removes medical residues from water

Bioprocess engineers at TU Dresden have affixed fungal enzymes to metal globules, making problematic chemicals in sewage treatment plants biodegradable.

Die Spülhalde Davidschacht beinhaltet die Rückstände der Aufbereitung von Blei-, Zink- und Kupfererzen in Freiberg.
The Davidschacht slag heap contains the residues from the processing of lead, zinc and copper ores in Freiberg.

Raw materials from mining waste

In the "rECOmine" project, researchers are developing concepts to recover recyclables and eliminate pollutants.

Numerous labels provide the consumer with information about the manufacture of the products.

The impact of bio-labels

Products with sustainability seals make consumers feel good. But ultimately it is the price that determines the purchase decision, as Göttingen-based agricultural economists show.

Rechts sieht man einen der Bioreaktoren, mit denen Kartal und seine Gruppe das Bakterium K. stuttgartiensis im Labor züchteten.
On the right, you can see one of the bioreactors used by Kartal and his group to cultivate the bacterium K. stuttgartiensis in the laboratory.

Microbe thrives on nitric oxide

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen have for the first time discovered microorganisms that need the toxic gas to grow.

In the future, a corn starch-based self-repairing paint could fix small scratches.

Corn-based car paint heals scratches

Researchers from Saarbrücken have developed a car paint that repairs small scratches in an instant: The coating consists of corn starch and reacts to heat.

Alte Bücher beherbergen auch Mikroben. Was sagen diese über die Geschichte des Buches aus?
Old books contain microbes. What do they say about their history?

The hidden inner life of old books

Researchers at Leipzig University Library want to use microbes to learn more about late medieval writings.

Links zeigt die Fotomontage die Blüte des Safran-Krokus‘ mit seinen drei orangefarbenen Fruchtblättern, rechts eine Aufnahme der Chromosomen.
On the left the flower of the saffron crocus with its three orange fruit leaves, on the right a picture of the chromosomes.

Saffron puzzle solved

With the parentage of the valuable spice plant saffron uncovered, botanists will be able to optimize the breeding of the valuable spice plant saffron. 

Too much sugar is unhealthy. The industry has therefore been looking for healthy alternatives for a long time.

Reinforcement for sweetener alliance

The partnership for natural-based sweetening solutions around Zwingenberger Brain AG has a new partner: In March, a European beverage company joined the DOLCE team.

Wissenschaftler der Universität von Süddänemark und des MPI-P haben die molekularen Prozesse bei der Zubereitung von Quallen untersucht.
Scientists have investigated the molecular processes involved in the preparation of jellyfish.

Jellyfish – now even tastier

Chemists from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have analysed the traditional preparation of marine animals and developed a faster alternative.

Bevölkerungs- und Wirtschaftswachstum treiben die Umwandlung vielfältiger Naturräume zu Agrarflächen.
Population and economic growth are driving the transformation of diverse natural areas into agricultural land.

Biodiversity under attack

Biodiversity researchers sound a warning: Global biodiversity is being destroyed by rapid economic and population growth, which is undermining progress.

Ein Beispiel für eine besonders hohe Variation an Waldtypen – und entsprechend hoher regionaler Artenvielfalt – ist das bergige Waldgebiet Harenna in Äthiopien.
An example of an area with an exceptionally high variety of forest types and thus, high regional diversity are the Mountains in Harenna Forest, Ethiopia.

Putting tree diversity on the map

For the first time, German biodiversity researchers were able to use a statistical model to calculate the diversity of tree species in different regions of the world and produce a complete world map.

Welches Start-up hat die Idee mit dem größten positiven potenziellen Einfluss auf die Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft?

Competition for food start-ups

The "Food Accelerator Network" is looking for new ideas that can have the greatest impact on the agricultural and food industries.

Building the sustainable way

The Zuse Research Association develops climate-friendly and comfortable technologies – from the basement to the roof.

from left to right: L.Hartmann (Memo), M. Hilmer (BMW), T. Korbun (IÖW), N. Tanaskovic (Rewe), R.Schmachtenberg (BMAS), J. Lorch (Vaude), H. Schatz & M. Walter (Lebensbaum), U. Westermann (Future), B. Klesper (Telekom)

Companies honored for transparency

German companies comply with their sustainability reporting obligations, a current ranking shows. The top six were awarded in Berlin.