Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis oder Saccharomyces cerevisiae – the names of some industrially used microorganisms have been encountered even by laymen. What these three have in common is that they prefer rather mild growth or reaction conditions. They are usually unsuitable for processes or products that require elevated temperatures or special pH values. The situation is different with so-called thermoacidophilic archaeae, to which Sulfolobus acidocaldarius belongs.
Biotechnology/Systems biology
Bacteria as pigment factories
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.
Reducing allergens in food
Many people suffer from food allergies. According to estimates by the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB), around six million children and adults are affected in Germany alone. Peanut allergy is particularly widespread. So far, allergy sufferers have had to do without allergy-causing foods such as peanuts or mustard, as the condition cannot yet be cured.
Making use of the plant's defences
Last summer, heat and drought have afflicted farmers in many places and caused enormous harvest losses. The damage caused to farmers in Germany was estimated by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture at 770 million euros.
Extreme weather conditions make plants more susceptible to disease and pest infestation. This also endangers wheat production in Germany and large parts of Europe.
An on-farm biorefinery
If it were up to Andrea Kruse, every farmer would have his own biorefinery. Waste materials such as grass, straw or wood would be broken down into their components in a mini plant and converted into new products such as platform chemicals. The idea of the Hohenheim chemist is by no means utopian. Such an on-farm plant was inaugurated at the end of October on the site of the experimental station at the University of Hohenheim on Unteren Lindenhof. "We still need about three years before all teething troubles are resolved.
Biomimetic coating prevents mussel sticking
Mussels have mastered the art of sticking to wet surfaces and cause a lot of damage because of it. They stick to boats, pipes, piers, and many more underwater surfaces. In fact, mussels are one of the worst perpetrators of biofouling, meaning the unwanted accumulation of organisms on underwater structures.
Protein summer drink made of lupins
Cool, refreshing drinks are always welcome during the summer time. But many customers shy away from high sugar contents and too many chemical ingredients in commercially available sports drinks. Therefore, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising developed a novel, protein-rich summer drink made from sweet lupins. The production of this new drink should be feasible for any brewery. The technique was developed in cooperation with the Technical University Munich as well as partners from industry.
Indian enzyme giant acquires evoxx
The industrial biotechnology company evoxx technologies GmbH has become a part of the leading specialty biotech company Advanced Enzyme Technologies Limited. Both companies announced on August 1 that they have entered into a binding agreement about the acquisition of 100% stake in evoxx technologies.
TU Munich with new bioeconomy campus
The Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability will become a new Integrative Research Centre at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The specific focus in research and teaching that has been envisioned will make this new centre unique: It will concentrate on renewable resources, biotechnology, and bioeconomy. For this, new interdisciplinary degree programs will be established, which will only be offered by TUM in Straubing and nowhere else in the country.