Nature's biodiversity harbors an almost immeasurable treasure of biologically active substances that can be of benefit to humans. A well-known example is the antibiotic penicillin, which is extracted from the mold Penicillium chrysogenum. Less known is the antibiotic Erogorgiaene. It is produced in small quantities by the horn coral Antillogorgia elisabethae. A team from the TU Munich has now succeeded with international partners in producing this active ingredient in bacteria.
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How can bioeconomy make the economy sustainable? This is the question that systems scientist Daniela Thrän deals with. Bioenergy systems are one focus of her research. Her mission: to identify drivers and weaknesses in order to put the bioeconomy on the right track. As a member of the Bioeconomy Council, the Leipzig Helmholtz researcher has advised the Federal Government on this topic for many years.
Most plants are grown on the window sill or in the greenhouse before they are allowed outdoors, and more and more plants are also being fertilized on terraces, balconies and window sills. We carry dozens of the black or brown plastic pots from the garden centres home. Then they pile up in the cellar or shed, all the little pots in which we once bought young plants, and at some point, they inevitably end up in the trash. There are already alternatives made from bio-fibres.
Some steps in leather production are extremely unsavory. In order to be able to process and preserve the hide, it has to be tanned. Classical tanning processes use substances that are harmful to health and pollute soils and waters considerably. In addition to the harmful substances, animal farming is also problematic, because not every animal skin is a waste product.
Nadja Henke has a great job: she brings color into life - at least in animal feed and cosmetics. The young systems biologist is developing a sustainable process in which bacteria produce the antioxidant pigment astaxanthin under economic conditions.