Climate-resilient trees for dry soils
In many regions of Germany, the increasing drought caused by climate change is leading to considerable challenges for agricultural production, including in Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is therefore launching a research project to test climate-robust agroforestry systems in cooperation with three farms from the two federal states.
Bioeconomy in the life sciences strategy
Europe is to become the world's most attractive location for life sciences by 2030. This is the aim of the new life sciences strategy adopted by the European Commission at the beginning of July. To this end, 10 billion euros are to be made available from the EU budget each year. The aim of the strategy is to utilise the potential of life sciences for health, the environment and the economy in a targeted manner and to strengthen Europe's competitiveness in the global innovation arena.
Climate-resilient quinoa cultivated
New bacterial natural substances discovered
Pseudomonas syringae is a bacterium that causes various plant diseases and damages agriculture by infecting crops. Like other microorganisms, the bacterium is also able to produce a variety of biologically active natural substances.
How pigments convert plant biomass
Anaerobic bacteria are among the oldest life forms on earth. Compared to other organisms, they can survive in places where there is no oxygen. These adaptive artists are therefore of great interest to researchers. With Clostridium thermocellum, researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena have scrutinised an anaerobic bacterium that is of crucial importance for the degradation of cellulose in plant cell walls.
Cheese alternative
Traditionally, cheese is made from animal milk – a resource-intensive process that also raises ethical concerns around animal farming. Against this backdrop, interest in animal-free, environmentally friendly alternatives is on the rise. Alongside plant-based cheese substitutes, fermented dairy alternatives are gaining ground. These are created by biotechnologically reproducing milk proteins using microorganisms.
Forest living labs for the future of forests
Spruce forests once characterised the landscape of Germany's low mountain ranges - today they are struggling to survive. Climate stress, bark beetles and extreme weather conditions have taken their toll on the robust conifers. The SURVEY joint project heralds a new era in forest research: in the future, research will be conducted directly in the forest instead of in the laboratory.
Photosynthesis research for efficient carbon capture
While CO2 emissions continue to rise worldwide, one technology is increasingly coming into focus: carbon capture - the capture and storage of carbon dioxide directly at the source. On 1 July 2025, the Max Planck Society will take on two new research groups working on the development of more efficient processes for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Furniture coating
Coatings on wooden furniture are usually made from lacquers, varnishes or synthetic materials. Many of these synthetic coatings are derived from fossil fuels, release harmful substances and require a lot of energy to produce. Furthermore, plastic-coated furniture is difficult to recycle.
Bioeconomy in a Shifting Global Landscape
Joachim Schulze, Vorstandsvorsitzender von eröffnete die Konferenz mit einem Appell an Zusammenarbeit und Offenheit: „Auf dieser Veranstaltung geht es ums Vernetzen, den Austausch – und darum, die Bioökonomie konsequent weiter voranzubringen,“ sagte er in seinen einleitenden Worten.