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Jasmine plants are particularly popular because of their flowers and fragrance. But they also give their name to an important plant hormone that is involved in the function of leaf pores.

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Old hormone, new function

Jasmonic acid is widely known as a defence hormone of plants. Researchers from Würzburg have now identified another function: it also causes the closure of stomata.

Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse

Chemistry Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

An on-farm biorefinery

Andrea Kruse wants to promote the material use of biomass. The chemist from Hohenheim hopes to establish a biorefinery on the farm in order to produce basic chemicals from plant feedstocks.

Through contact with water, the seed of Neopallasia pectinata from the family of composite plants forms a slimy sheath. The white cellulose fibres anchor it to the seed surface.

Pharmaceutical industry Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

New plant-based nanofibers

Zoologists in Kiel have discovered highly adhesive cellulose nanofibres in the slimy protective layer of plant seeds, which may be very useful for biomedical applications.

The magnetic microbe Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense during its division: magnetite crystals are colored red and the cytoskeleton green.

unspecific Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Microbe of the year goes to Magnetospirillum

Due to its magnetic properties, the microbial species Magnetospirillum has enormous potential for biotechnological applications and was voted Microbe of the Year 2019.

At the end of 2018, the PANBioRA project meeting took place in Tirana, Albania.

Pharmaceutical industry unspecific Biotechnology/Systems biology

Quick evaluation of biomaterials

The European project PANBioRA is investigating and developing tools and methods in order to assess the risks of new biobased medical products in a standardised way.

Using tomatoes and ground beef as examples, Fraunhofer researchers have trained the intelligent algorithm of their food scanner. The scanner can now infer the shelf life of food items based on the measured values.

Food unspecific Bioökonomie mitgestalten

Measuring shelf life with infrared light

Fraunhofer physicists have developed a pocket-sized food scanner that uses infrared light and intelligent algorithms to determine the shelf life of food.

Just a few centimetres in size, but extremely absorbent: The wood chips developed by materials scientists at TU Dresden are designed to clean up water after an oil spill.

Machine and plant engineering Plants Materials sciences

Fighting oil spills with wood chips

Materials scientists at TU Dresden have developed wood fibre-based oil binders that can clean water in the event of an oil spill.

Zucker

Chemistry Microorganisms unspecific

nova-Institut (2019): Sugar Sustainability Study

A new study by the nova-Institut investigates the sustainability of biobased raw materials for the chemical industry, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Michael Ohl

unspecific Plants Biodiversity

Capturing global biodiversity

The Berlin biologist Michael Ohl wants to record the diversity of animal species on earth with the help of innovative technologies - at the new Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery.

In Paris, Covestro is presenting a biobased hair gel and a biodegradable sun lotion.

Chemistry unspecific Chemistry

Covestro presents sustainable cosmetics

Cosmetics are a growing market but mostly based on petrochemicals. During a trade show in Paris Covestro is now presenting a new sustainable hair gel and sun protect lotion.

Chemistry Fungi Biotechnology/Systems biology

Biogas from mushrooms

Thomas Helle, Managing Director of Tübingen-based Novis GmbH, is developing a biogas plant using mushroom compost as part of the EU project "Smartmushroom".

DLR researcher Paul Zabel spent a year in Antarctica, testing the farming of vegetables in the EDEN-ISS greenhouse.

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

Farming vegetables in perpetual ice

After a year of growing vegetables in Antarctica, Paul Zabel has returned to Germany. The results are mostly positive - in total, more than 270 kilograms of vegetables were harvested.

Picture of two cell clones (in green), each of which originated from a single cambium stem cell and contributed to both the wood (xylem) and the bast (phloem).

Agriculture and forestry Plants Forestry

Stem cells produce wood and bast

According to researchers from Heidelberg, so-called bifacial stem cells alternate between producing wood and bast cells.

Viele Meter unter der Erde befindet sich ein riesiges Wasserreservoir, das für Menschen überlebenswichtig ist: das Grundwasser.
Many metres underground there is a huge reservoir of water that is vital for human survival: groundwater.

unspecific unspecific Environmental technology

Delayed climate impact on groundwater

The influence of climate change on groundwater is insidious. The slow reaction time could prove to be an ecological time bomb, as an international team of researchers discovered.

Getreidefeld mit Frauenspiegel und anderen Ackerwildkräutern Getreidefeld mit Wildkräutern | © Michael Welling
Grain field with corn bellflower and other wild herbs

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Clear advantage for organic farming

A recent study by the Thünen Institute shows: Organic agriculture scores significantly better than conventional agriculture in terms of resource conservation, soil fertility and biodiversity.

Die Polymere werden aus Bakterien isoliert und anschließend chemisch modifiziert.
The polymers are isolated from bacteria and then chemically modified.

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Smooth running with biobased lubricants

Partners from research and industry are developing environmentally friendly lubricants based on biopolymers.

Flasche mit Flüssigwaschmittel

Consumables Microorganisms

Detergent

At the beginning of the 20th century, the "first automatic detergent" went on sale. It promised clean laundry after only 30 minutes at 95°C. Before that, the laundry had to be soaked, laboriously kneaded, rubbed, rinsed and wrung.

Um herauszufinden, warum sich die Jagdspinne Cupiennius salei so gut an senkrechten Oberflächen halten kann, untersucht das interdisziplinäre Forschungsteam winzige Hafthaare auf den Spinnenbeinen.
In order to find out why the Cupiennius salei hunting spider can stick so well to vertical surfaces, the interdisciplinary research team is investigating tiny adhesive hairs on the spider legs.

Chemistry Animals Materials sciences

How spiders cling to the ceiling

Using modern X-ray technology, researchers have determined the adhesive structure of spider legs. The parallel fiber structure could serve as a model for new materials.

Viele Bienenarten sind vom Aussterben bedroht.
Many bee species are threatened with extinction.

Agriculture and forestry Animals Agriculture sciences

Bee protection with DNA chip

The most important bee species are still partially present in Europe. The EU project SmartBees ends with this good news and leaves beekeepers with tools for bee protection.

Das neu entdeckte Molekül könnte langfristig etablierte Herbizide ersetzen.
The newly discovered molecule could replace established herbicides in the long term.

Chemistry Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Weed killer from sugar molecule

In cyanobacteria, researchers at the University of Tübingen have discovered a molecule that is harmless to humans and that has the potential to replace the controversial glyphosate.

Humane Milch-Oligosaccharide bilden die wichtigsten Produkte der Firma Jennewein Biotechnologie.
Human milk oligosaccharides are the most important products of Jennewein Biotechnologie.

Food Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Healthy baby food for China

Jennewein, a biotech company specializing in human milk sugar, is researching milk products in cooperation with the Chinese market leader for dairy goods.

Kollagenhüllen für Wurst könnten mittels Enzymen dünner und günstiger hergestellt werden.
Enzymes could be used to produce thinner and cheaper collagen casings for sausages.

Food Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Better sausage skins with enzymes

Enzymes are designed to modernize processes. A German team of researchers has now succeeded in doing the same in the production of sausage skins.

„Banabooms“ sollen aus Bananen hergestellt werden, die zu reif sind, um noch verkauft zu werden.
"Banabooms" are to be made from bananas that are too ripe to be sold.

Food Plants Food technology

Breakfast cereals from unsold foods

Students of the University of Hohenheim have won a European competition against food waste with their alternative breakfast cereals called "Banaboom". 

Gewinner des Gründerwettbewerbs Plan B Sebastian Wittmann vom freisicht (rechts im Bild)! v.l.n.r.: Armin Kienberger (Werksleiter Bischof und Klein), StS Roland Weigert, Moderator des Abends: Dominik Glöbl
Winner of the PlanB business start-up competition "Plan B" Sebastian Wittmann vom freisicht (right). From left to right: Armin Kienberger (Plant Manager Bischof and Klein), StS Roland Weigert, presenter Dominik Glöbl

unspecific unspecific Bioökonomie mitgestalten

Designer wooden eyewear win PlanB award

With its solid wood glasses, the start-up freisicht has won the Bavarian start-up competition PlanB. For the third time, the event awarded business ideas for the bio-based economy.

Mit Hilfe selbst gebildeter organischer Substanzen kann Weizen sich besser gegen Hitze- oder Überflutungsstress schützen.
With the help of self-generated organic substances, wheat can better protect itself against heat or flooding stress.

Agriculture and forestry Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Making use of the plant's defences

A new research consortium plans to investigate the natural defences of wheat in order to protect the plant against diseases and pests.

In Mooren konkurriert eine seltene Bakterienart mit Archaeen und bremst so den Methanausstoß der Feuchtgebiete.
In moors, a rare bacterial species competes with archaea and slows down methane emissions from the bogs.

unspecific Microorganisms Biodiversity

Bog bacteria curb methane emission

A rare bacterial species competes with methane-forming archaea and thus slows down global warming, a study by researchers from Braunschweig and Vienna shows.

Eierschalen bestehen aus porösem Calciumcarbonat, das sich sehr gut für elektrochemische Speicher eignet.
Egg shells consist of porous calcium carbonate, which is very suitable for electrochemical storage.

Energy Waste Energy technologies

Electrodes from eggshells

The energy stores of tomorrow could be made from eggshells: An international team of researchers is showing for the first time how powdered shell waste can act as electrodes.

Mit Hilfe selbst gebildeter organischer Substanzen kann Weizen sich besser gegen Hitze- oder Überflutungsstress schützen.
With the help of self-generated organic substances, wheat can better protect itself against heat or flooding stress.

Agriculture and forestry Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Making use of the plant's defences

A new research consortium plans to investigate the natural defences of wheat in order to protect the plant against diseases and pests.

Evonik has doubled its risk capital for innovations.

Chemistry unspecific Chemistry

Evonik doubles venture capital

Evonik has increased its venture capital fund by €150 million. This time, the specialty chemicals group is targeting start-ups with market-ready innovations - not excluding later takeovers.

At around 220 kilograms per capita, more packaging waste is produced in Germany than in other European countries.

Chemistry Waste Environmental technology

Making packaging recyclable

Software developed by Henkel for the recyclability of packaging has passed the critical practical test by Fraunhofer researchers.

Der Europäische Stör (Acipenser sturio) hat den größten Verlust zu verzeichnen – sein Verbreitungsgebiet ist um 99 Prozent zurückgegangen.
The European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) has suffered the largest loss - its population area has declined by 99 percent.

unspecific Animals Biodiversity

Large freshwater fish on the way out

An inventory of life in inland waters reveals a population loss that is twice as high as on land and in the sea.

Tropenwald

Consumables Plants Biodiversity

WWF (2019): Global forest report

According to the "Below The Canopy" analysis conducted by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), the 455 populations studied shrank by an average of 53% between 1970 and 2015.

So sieht eine kühlschrankgroße vertikale Farm für den Privatgebrauch aus. In der Studie kam sie schlechter an als größere Anbausysteme.
This is what a refrigerator-sized vertical farm for private use looks like. In the study, it was less popular than larger cultivation systems.

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Vegetables from next door

One in two consumers is willing to buy products from vertical agriculture, shows a study by the University of Göttingen.

Buchenwälder wie hier auf der Schwäbischen Alb könnten Erdöl als Rohstoff für Carbonfasern ersetzen.
Beech forests such as this one in the Swabian Alb could replace crude oil as a raw material for carbon fibres.

unspecific Plants Materials sciences

Carbon fibers from beech wood

In Baden-Württemberg, a research centre is to be established that will develop processes for the sustainable and inexpensive production of high-tech fibres from hardwood.

Landwirte prägen Aussehen und Vielfalt der Landschaft in Europa.
Farmers shape the appearance and diversity of the landscape in Europe.

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

EU agricultural policy reform under fire

Environmental and agricultural researchers have analyzed the EU Commission's reform proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy. They have identified significant deficits and presented alternatives.

In diesem Bioreaktor wird die Umsetzung von Abfallplastik zu Wertstoffen erprobt.
This bioreactor is used to test the conversion of plastic waste into valuable materials.

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Biotechnological upcycling for plastic waste

Simply recycling plastic? European researchers believe they can do better. By breaking it down and making its building blocks exploitable for bacteria to create valuable resources, a research consortium plans to upcycle plastics. 

Übersicht Forschungseinrichtungen zur Bioökonomie in Deutschland

unspecific unspecific Biodiversity

2019 Research Survey on the Bioeconomy

In Germany, almost 800 research institutions in the natural sciences and humanities deal with the bioeconomy. Every two years, biookonomie.de contacts these research institutes and asks them about their priorities regarding R&D, their raw materials, industrial applications, financing and number of employees. In addition to the data collected, this year six bioeconomy experts were interviewed about their assessments of the local research landscape.  

Nadja Henke

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Bacteria as pigment factories

Systems biologist Nadja Alina Henke uses bacteria as cell factories to produce the red pigment astaxanthin. Now, the 28-year-old hopes to bring the process to market with her start-up company Bicomer.

BASF und Ontera kooperieren bei der Entwicklung von Präzisionsdiagnostik für Pflanzenkrankheiten im Feld.
The two companies are cooperating in the development of precision diagnostics for plant diseases in the field.

Chemistry Plants Agriculture sciences

Precision diagnostics: BASF teams up with Ontera

Chemistry giant BASF and Californian molecular diagnostics expert Ontera are cooperating to produce mobile devices that can detect and name infections of diseases at an early stage.

Zur Bestäubung haften Pollen auf der sogenannten Narbe in der Blüte der Hypochoeris radicata, wie die nachkolorierte Aufnahme aus dem Rasterelektronenkryomikroskop zeigt.
For pollination, pollen adheres to the so-called stigma in the flower of Hypochoeris radicata, as the post-colored image from the scanning electron cryomicroscope shows.

Agriculture and forestry Plants Materials sciences

What makes pollen stick

Materials researchers at the University of Kiel have measured how strongly pollen adheres to certain flower organs.