As oxygen producers and CO₂ reservoirs, algae contribute to the survival of the marine ecosystem and therefore also make a decisive contribution to climate protection. Algae, such as the green algae Ulva, have also long since become an important source of raw materials for industry. They are used to produce active ingredients for medicine or bio-based chemicals, food and animal feed or cosmetic products.

In 2022, Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger signed an agreement to strengthen joint bioeconomy research during her visit to the Australian state of Queensland. With the ‘Joint Declaration of Intent’, Germany and Australia want to expand their long-standing research cooperation.

Wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world and is dependent on a supply of nitrogen. In agriculture, nitrogen is therefore applied in the form of fertiliser to promote plant growth and achieve good yields. However, the right amount is important. Nitrogen that the plant cannot process ends up in the environment and pollutes ecosystems. But how can the supply of wheat be secured without further harming the environment?

Nowadays, potatoes, maize and other crops are planted in extensive fields so that agricultural machinery can work the land - even in locations where crops do not have optimal growing conditions. In such cases, fertilisers and pesticides are usually used to compensate for the disadvantage and achieve good yields. However, this common cultivation method is increasingly reaching its limits. An alternative could be the concept of spot farming.

Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses never act alone. They form communities, interact and thus have a significant influence on humans and nature. One example of this is the microbial community in the human gut, the so-called microbiome. It is only through the interaction of microorganisms that nutrients are metabolised and made usable for the body. However, if the microbiome is composed incorrectly, this can lead to health problems.

Supplying a growing world population with affordable food is becoming increasingly difficult due to climate-related extremes such as heat, drought or heavy rainfall. But climate change is not the only factor jeopardising food security. According to studies, agricultural fertilisation practices are partly responsible for the fact that ecosystems such as the soil are over-fertilised and under pressure. New solutions are therefore needed for sustainable, resource-efficient and adaptable agricultural production.

Microorganisms can produce a variety of substances. Their talents have been utilised for centuries - for example in the production of beer, wine and cheese. Microbes are also important tools for biotechnology, for example to produce new products such as bio-based chemicals for the bioeconomy from CO₂.

Where streets and houses dominate instead of green spaces and water, it can sometimes become unbearably hot in summer. Solutions are needed because researchers are predicting an increase in heat waves as a result of climate change. Sponge cities can provide effective heat protection. Researchers at the Technische Universität (TU) Berlin want to design such a sponge city neighbourhood on the former site of Tegel Airport. In August, work began on planting a total of six so-called evaporation beds.