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Eduardo Gordillo ist Gründer von Bio-lutions

Source

BIOCOM AG

Researcher Profile

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Turning waste into packaging "gold"

For Eduardo Gordillo, vegetable waste represents the ideal raw material for packaging and disposable tableware. His Hamburg-based start-up Bio-lutions turns agricultural waste into biodegradable moulded fibre products. The multi award-winning material can be produced with minimal technical effort, anywhere in the world.

Fluoreszenzbild von PLGA Nanopartikel Ansammlungen in Einzelzellschicht a: Aufsicht; b: Querschnitt; rot: Nanopartikel; blau: Zellkerne; grün Zellmembran

Source

University of Münster / Riehemann

Fluorescence image of PLGA nanoparticles. Red: nanoparticles; blue: cell nuclei; green: cell membrane.

23.08.2017 Success story

Pharmaceutical industry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Observing the cell-biological effects of nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are playing an increasingly important role in medicine. In order to more quickly assess the possible health risks of these nanoparticles, researchers are carrying out in-depth investigations of the interactions of the tiny molecules within the cells of the body. 

Source

C. Falcón Garcia / TUM

The lotus effects describes water drops that are rolling of plant leaves due to specific surface structures.

17.05.2017 News

unspecific Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Lotus effect copied by bacterial biofilms

Since they are often water-repellent, removing bacterial biofilms is very difficult. Munich-based researchers found out how these biofilms repel water by mimicking plants.

Simone Strey, Geschäftsführerin von PEAT

Source

Private

18.05.2017 Interview

Food Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

A smart app as a doctor for plants

‘Plantix’ developed by Simone Strey is an award-winning app that uses images to identify plant diseases and to provide tips on countermeasures.

Umfangreiche Tests mit Envirals Rohstoffen wurden in der vorkommerziellen Anlage von Clariant in Straubing, Deutschland, durchgeführt.

Source

Clariant/Rötzer

Clariant and Enviral conducted extensive tests of Enviral's feedstock with Clariant's technology to ensure effective and efficient compatibilityat Clariant's pre-commercial sunliquid demonstration plant in Straubing (Germany).

20.09.2017 News

Automobile Plants Chemistry

Clariant licenses technology to Enviral

Swiss chemical company Clariant and Slovakian bioethanol specialist Enviral announce first license agreement on Sunliquid Cellulosic Ethanol Technology.

Source

Universität Hohenheim / Maren Reitemeier

Lene Lange, biorefinery expert from Denmark, held the keynote lecture during the first day and highlighted the diverse possibilities of bioconversion.

19.09.2017 News

unspecific unspecific unspecific

Bioeconomy conference in Stuttgart

What will the industry of tomorrow look like? 350 experts discussed future directions during the second international bioeconomy conference in Stuttgart.

Drop-in Kraftstoff aus Biomasse und elektrischer Energie.

Source

UFZ / André Künzelmann

Researchers have shown that the combination of microbial and electrochemical conversion of complex biomass can yield valuable products.

27.09.2017 News

Automobile Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Fuel from biowaste and electricity

Leipzig-based researchers have shown that the combination of microbial and electrochemical conversion of biomass can yield valuable products such as fuel.

Die Tubulusmembranen (grün und gelb) des Pyrenoids sind umspült von einem “Meer” aus Rubiscoenzymen (blau).

Source

ScienceDirect

Algae concentrate the carbon dioxide binding enzyme Rubisco n a microcompartment called pyrenoid. Surprisngly, the pyrenoid behvaes like a liquid instead of an expected solid crystall structure.

27.09.2017 News

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

Algae bind carbon with liquid compartment

Algae fix carbon dioxide more efficiently than land plants. An international research team deciphered the surprisingly liquid mechanisms behind it.

Wasserassel ist unliebsamer Bewohner des Trinkwassers

Source

Thomas Kuska/IGÖ

27.09.2017 Success story

Agriculture and forestry Animals Biodiversity

Tracking water lice with a DNA check

In your drinking water, water lice are likely to count as unwanted guests. Ecologists in Landau, Germany, are using a rapid DNA test to find out more about the origins and distribution of crustaceans in wells, waterworks and pipelines.

Source

Pixabay

04.10.2017 News

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

Pearl millet genome deciphered

Scientists from Gatersleben helped decipher the genome sequence of the pearl millet, a drought resistant crop plant that grows even on nutrient-deficient soil.

Christian Griebler, Kommissarischer Leiter des Instituts für Grundwasserökologie (IGOE), Helmholtz-Zentrum München

Source

Private

Researcher Profile

unspecific Microorganisms Biodiversity

Understanding and protecting the groundwater ecosystem

We all make use of the groundwater, yet only few of us notice it as an ecosystem. Munich biologist Christian Griebler is working to change this perception.

Source

Frontiers Media

04.10.2017 Interview

unspecific unspecific unspecific

Open Access accelerates sustainability

With soon to be 9 billion people on the planet, we need to establish a more sustainable economy, urges Kamila Markram. Scientists are working hard on these issues, but progress is delayed by paywalls in front of new publications.

Source

Fraunhofer WKI/Peter Meinlschmidt

Myanmar: at the longest teak wood bridge in the world parts of the wooden beams, some of which are more than 150 years old, need to be exchanged. The old wood will be reused as handrails and benches.

05.10.2017 News

Consumables Plants Materials sciences

Old wood useful for more than firewood

Researchers at Fraunhofer WKI developed new technologies to recycle wood without diminishing its quality.

Source

Oliver Bäumchen, MPIDS, Göttingen / Thomas Braun, Heidelberg

Green algae can switch their ability to adhere to surfaces on and off by means of light. In the presence of blue light, their two fine hairs, called flagella, stick to a surface. Under red light conditions algae don’t attach to surfaces.

11.10.2017 News

Energy Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Biofilms: green algae only stick in blue light

Green algae cause biofilms that wreak havoc for bioreactors and other structures. Göttingen-based researchers found that red light hinders surface adhesions.

Source

Von Michael Hermann - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19389775

Quinoa is a naturally salt-tolerant plant. Special bladder cells on the surface of the leaves absorb salt. The process is controlled by specific gene activity.

12.10.2017 News

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

Quinoa: role model for salt-tolerance

Special bladder cells on quinoa leaves remove salt from the plant metabolism. Researcher at the University Würzburg identified specific gene activities underlying this mechanism.

Source

Evonik

Evonik opened a new production site in Tours, France. It will be developed into a centre for plant-based cosmetic active ingredients.

12.10.2017 News

Chemistry Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

Evonik: new centre for plant-based cosmetics

The speciality chemicals company Evonik is opening a new site in Tours, France. The new production site will focus on plant-based cosmetic active ingredients.

Mit der Gründung nationaler Infostellen soll weltweit die Nutzung nachhaltiger Kunststoffe vorangetrieben werden.

Source

CC BY-SA 3.0

13.10.2017 Studies and statistics

unspecific unspecific Biotechnology/Systems biology

Research and Markets (2017): Global bioplastics market

With an annual growth rate of 20.85%, the global market for bioplastics will grow from today's US$17 billion to nearly US$44 billion in 2022 over the next five years. 

Schleimige Jagdwaffe: Stummelfüßer fangen ihre Beutetiere mit einem schleimigen Sekret, aus dem sich Polymerfasern bilden, wenn sich die Opfer bewegen.

Source

Alexander Bär / Nature Communications 2017

24.10.2017 News

Chemistry Animals Biotechnology/Systems biology

Slime that turns into deadly fibres

Researcher in Kassel and Potsdam identified shear forces as the mechanism that turns the slimy secretion of velvet worms into stiff polymer fibres, which can even be recycled.

Auch Mauerbienen wie diese Natternkopf-Mauerbiene (Osmia adunca) sind vom Insektensterben betroffen.

Source

Martin Sorg

Due to their many functions as pollinators or prey, the loss of 75% of insects couls cause "ecological Armageddon".

20.10.2017 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Vanishing insects across Germany

A long-term study by researchers in the Netherlands, the UK and volunteers across Germany found a 75% decrease of flying insects over the last 27 years.

Source

BASF

BASF has since signed an agreement to acquire significant parts of Bayer’s seed and non-selective herbicide businesses for approximately €5.9 billion.

20.10.2017 News

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

BASF signs billion-euro deal with Bayer

BASF has signed an agreement for €5.9 billion to acquire significant parts of Bayer’s seed and non-selective herbicide businesses.  

Mit Holzkohle rückt als alternativer Bodendünger zunehmend in den Fokus der Forschung.

Source

Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

Biochar can be used as an eco-fiendly fertiliser, albeit a not very efficient one. Co-composting it with manure, however, creates an organic coating that improves and speeds up its fertiliser qualities.

25.10.2017 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Manure coating improves biochar's fertiliser qualities

Geomicrobiologists from the University of Tübingen demonstrate that co-composting of mixed manure and biochar creates an organic coating, which improves its fertiliser properties.

Source

Sigrid Gombert (Freiburg)

Moss cells in an Erlenmeyer-flask

26.10.2017 News

Chemistry Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

Green chemicals from moss

A new EU project headed by Ralf Reski in Freiburg will promote the environmentally friendly production of specialty chemicals from genetically modified moss.

Eine wichtige Quelle für Feinstaub: Landwirtschaftliche Ammoniakemissionen aus Düngung und Viehzucht.

Source

Wald1siedel/Creative-Commons Lizenz

A major contribution to air pollution: agricultural ammonia emissions from manure and fertilizers.

30.10.2017 News

Chemistry unspecific Agriculture sciences

Fewer ammonia emissions could save lives

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Mainz calculated that reducing agricultural ammonia emissions from manure and fertilizers decreases air pollution and reduces mortality.

Source

BRAIN AG

The new bioleaching method for metal recovery takes place within the BioXtractor. The system is built to be easily dis- and reassembled and can be explored by enterprises interested in a test phase prior to joint further development.

01.11.2017 News

unspecific Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Microbes isolate precious metals in pilot plant

The German industrial biotech company Brain AG has developed a new bio-leaching method to isolate and retain metals by breaking down waste and ore.

Source

Fraunhofer IMWS/ Patrick Hirsch

Patrick Hirsch and his colleagues are creating new composite materials made of wood and plastics. The researchers use beech wood as a raw material for their product, which can be used for car interiors or children’s toys, among others.

11.10.2017 Success story

Automobile Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

Bioplastics made with wood fibres

Researchers in Halle and Potsdam are experimenting with compsite-materials made of beech fibres and bioplastics.

Source

Pixabay

The 2017 Lancet report describes irreversible environmental damages due to man-made climate change, impending famine especially for warmer areas, and spreading diseases due to expanding territories of vermin.

03.11.2017 News

unspecific Plants Agriculture sciences

Report: How climate change affects health

In the "Lancet Countdown" report, international experts from basic research to political scientists analyse the relationship between public health and climate change.

Clariant plant Fusion mit US-amerikanischen Chemieriesen Huntsman

Source

Clariant/Rötzer

Clariant will invest in a new full-scale commercial biorefinery in Romania for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues using its sunliquid® technology.

02.11.2017 News

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Clariant to build new biorefinery in Romania

The swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant is set to build a sunliquid® cellulosic ethanol plant in Romania.

Source

TUM

The so-called heat island effect in cities causes warmer temperatures and accelerates tree growth compared to rural trees. However, the faster growth also speeds up the ageing of trees.

16.11.2017 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Forestry

Urban climate speeds up tree growth

According to a new study by Munich researchers, warmer temperatures in cities speed up the growth of urban trees and let them age faster.

iGEM Team München 2017 wurde Vizeweltmeister in Boston

Source

iGEM Team München via @iGEM_Munich

15 German teams travelled to Boston for the iGEM finals. The result: eight gold medals, three silver, and three bronze medals.

15.11.2017 News

unspecific Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

German iGEM teams big in Boston

The 15 German teams at the finals of the iGEM competition for synthetic biology did very well: no overall win, but they received eight gold, three silver, and three bronze medals.

Source

TU Berlin/PR/Tobias Rosenberg

16.11.2017 News

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Intestinal bacteria produce mussel adhesive

Researchers from Berlin managed to reprogram the intestinal bacteria E. coli in such a way that they generate the underwater adhesives as seen in mussels.

Source

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

The new Green Finance Cluster in Frankfurt is open: it will connect sustainable innovations and funding opportunities.

20.11.2017 News

unspecific unspecific Energy technologies

Frankfurt: opening of new Green Finance Cluster

The new Green Finance Cluster in Frankfurt is open for business. The goal: to pair up sustainable innovations and funding opportunities.

Source

Andreas Gregor

21.11.2017 Interview

Construction Plants Energy technologies

Sustainable reed and electricity for the Senegal

Heidi Schiller and her KAITO Projekt GmbH&nbsp; already introduced electricity from renewable resources to the Senegal. Now they are working to establish local reed as renewable building material.

Source

BIOCOM

28.11.2017 Product

Construction Plants

Decking boards

Plastic is produced from meadow grass in a resource-conserving manner using a recirculation process. Sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Source

Christian Hueller

Biodiverse fall forest in Germany with Norway spruce, beech and birch trees. A biodiverse forest provides higher ecological and economical yield.

22.11.2017 News

Construction Plants Biodiversity

High biodiversity equals high functionality

According to a new report by researchers from Leipzig University, the economic and ecological value of any forest increases with its level of biodiversity.

Source

Hassan Salem / Emory University

The thistle tortoise beetle feeds on thistle leaves. However, the beetle is only able to digest the plant cell walls because of a symbiont bacteria that compensates for the lack of digestive enzymes.

23.11.2017 News

Chemistry Microorganisms Chemistry

Bacteria enable beetles to digest leaves

Researchers from Jena report that the symbiosis of the thistle tortoise beetles with a specific bacterium allows them to digest plant cell walls.

Source

Pixabay

Munich-based researchers deciphered the complex genome sequence of goatgras. The original qualities of this wheat-ancestor could improve targeted breeding of the modern, cultivated plant.

23.11.2017 News

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

Original genes optimise wheat cultivation

Researchers in Munich deciphered the complex genome sequence of goatgras. This ancestor of the common wheat could improve targeted breeding.

Source

Jan-Peter Kasper/FSU

When the green algae come close to Pseudomonas protegens bacteria, the bacteria release orfamid A, a lipopeptide that causes the algae to lose their flagella and inhibits their growth.

28.11.2017 News

Chemistry Microorganisms Biodiversity

How bacteria and algae talk

Pseudomonas bacteria can immobilise microalgae within moments. Researchers from Jena identified orfamid A as the chemical culprit.

Source

Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH

Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH is specialised in the production of membrane adsorbers.

29.11.2017 Success story

Pharmaceutical industry unspecific Biotechnology/Systems biology

The gentle purification of valuable proteins

Membrane adsorbers can assist in the gentle and loss-free purification of proteins. Now, biotechnologists have optimised the technology in order to obtain cytokines for use in biomedicine.

Source

adidas | pixabay

29.11.2017 Product

Chemistry Plants

Running shoes

The demands on modern running shoes are high. They should be light and stable, tear-resistant and stretchy, even when wet.

Der ursprünglich aus Mittelamerika stammende Westliche Maiswurzelbohrer (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) tritt immer häufiger auch in Deutschland auf.

Source

Nowlan Freese / Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

The western corn rootworm is a devastating pest of maize plants, which originates from Central America but has spread throughout Europe. It uses the defensive toxins of the plant to ward off enemies of itself.

01.12.2017 News

Agriculture and forestry Animals Agriculture sciences

Maize pest turns plant defense on its head

Researchers in Jena found out why the corn rootworm is such a devastating pest: it exploits the plants defenses and then uses it against potential enemies.

Source

F. Melzner, GEOMAR

Mussels are developing their shells early in life: between their first and second day they form a calcified shell, which equals the weight of the rest of their body. If the pH levels in the water are too low they cannot form the shell.

30.11.2017 News

Chemistry Animals Biodiversity

Acidic oceans destroy mussel shells

According to researchers in Kiel, the increasing acidification of the oceans cause growing problems for mussels when developing their shells.

Source

| pixabay

01.11.2017 Product

Consumables Microorganisms

Diapers

A baby or toddler "produces" up to ten full diapers a day. Not only parents can imagine the huge mountains of rubbish.

Source

nova-Institut

The nova-Institute surveyed 224 biorefineries across Europe and categorized them according to the biomass used and their end products. The different categories are clustered depending on available raw material.

04.12.2017 News

Chemistry unspecific Energy technologies

Mapping European biorefineries

According to a recent study, there are 224 biorefineries online in Europe. The platforms differ by region, depending on the available resources.

Source

Cordula Giese

At the end of the GreenUp Invest event in Berlin two winners were chosen: Munich-based Hawa Dawa who develop a high-resolution air quality map (2nd from left), and Scandinavian Polylabs, who produce biobased plastic (2nd from right).

07.12.2017 News

unspecific unspecific unspecific

Greentech start-ups looking for investors

17 green start-ups were competing for potential investors in Berlin. Biobased plastic produced in Sweden and a map for air quality developed in Munich convinced the panel.

Source

Hendrik Dietz / TUM

A new DNA origami technique by Hendrik Dietz and colleagues allows for the self-organisation of „gear-wheels“ from V-shaped building blocks. In a next step, these gears form tubes with a size comparable to virus capsids or organelles.

12.12.2017 News

Chemistry unspecific Biotechnology/Systems biology

Nanotechnology allows for larger 3D structures

A new technique enables Hendrik Dietz at TU Munich to build DNA origami structures the size of viruses, while also reducing the cost of production substantially.

Fließbandarbeit: Das Chaperonin-System hilft dabei, die Rubisco-Untereinheiten korrekt zu falten und zum funktionellen Enzym zusammenzusetzen. Rubisco ist das Schlüsselenzym der Photosynthese.

Source

Metz/Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry

18.12.2017 News

Food Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Bioengineering improves photosynthesis

Biochemists in Munich managed to improve the photosynthesis process by generating the Rubisco enzyme in a bacterial host. This could also boost future crop yields.

Source

medorex e.K.

In order to efficiently cultivate microorganisms in bioreactors, optimal cultivating conditions are required. Ralf Pörtner and his team of bioprocess engineers calculate the best conditions in complex computer models.

15.12.2017 Success story

Chemistry Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Calculating the best conditions for cell factories

Microbes require optimised conditions in order to grow efficiently. To this end, Hamburg-based bioprocess engineers are developing smart computer models.

Source

wijld

15.12.2017 Product

Textiles Plants

T-Shirt

Wood has many different properties. There are obviously no limits to new ideas for products and areas of application. This is demonstrated by a young company from Wuppertal.

Source

Ralph Bock, MPI-MP

Researchers introduced the metabolic pathway of astaxanthin into the model plant tobacco. Subsequently they used horizontal gene transfer between the model plant and the tree tobacco, resulting in an orange-colored tree tobacco plant (left)

19.12.2017 News

Chemistry Microorganisms Agriculture sciences

Transforming plants into bio-factories

Molecular plant physiologists in Golm managed to engineer the chloroplast DNA of the tobacco plant. Via horizontal gene transfer they were able to produce the carotenoid astaxanthin.

Source

Mannheim University of Applied Sciences (M2Aind)

Researcher at the University Mannheim and BRAIN AG develop new 3D skin models in order to provide better tests for cosmetics. Picture: 3D spheroids aged 7 days; red: basal cell layer; green: differentiated epidermal layer.

27.12.2017 News

Chemistry unspecific Biotechnology/Systems biology

3D skin models to reduce allergens

Researchers at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences and BRAIN AG develop new three-dimensional skin models. These allow for more realistic screenings for health care and cosmetics.

Source

Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Lembke KG

Project partners from all over Germany have developed new, more efficient rapeseed lines.

22.12.2017 Success story

Food Plants Agriculture sciences

More variety for rapeseed fields

Rapeseed is an important oilseed, however, it is genetically impoverished. Thus, 14 project partners from industry and science have developed rapeseed lines with additional features.

Kunst-und Designstudenten sind aufgerufen, ihre Visionen der Bioökonomie von Morgen zu entwerfen.

Source

Pixabay

Students are invited to submit their artistic visions of the future of bioeconomy in an art competition for the global bioeconomy summit taking place in April in Berlin.

21.12.2017 News

unspecific unspecific unspecific

Visions in bioeconomy

Students from all over the globe are invited to present new ideas for a biobased economy as part of an art competition. The winners will be exhibited at the global summit in Berlin.

Potentilla reptans (Kriechendes Fingerkraut) in der Simulation mit dichtwachsenden Nachbarn.

Source

Udi Segev

Plants can choose the best strategy to receive sufficient light – depending on the surrounding growth. Here: The plant Potentilla reptans is growing under simulated sparse vegetation.

02.01.2018 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Knowing when and where to grow

Plants have several strategies to receive sufficient light. Now, Biologists from Tübingen University demonstrate that plants can choose between alternative responses to competition.

Source

Pixabay

Fraunhofer researchers develop paintings and varnishes based on potato starch.

04.01.2018 News

Construction Plants Biotechnology/Systems biology

More than mash: paints from potatoes

Fraunhofer researcher from Potsdam and Stuttgart develop new paints and varnishes based on potato starch. A special chemical process is optimising the starch for this application.

Source

Hans-Jürgen Ensikat/Uni Bonn

The thal cress protects itself against small insects with sharp and hardened hairs. The very tips of these trichomes are incrusted with calcium phosphate for increased stability and strength.

05.01.2018 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Agriculture sciences

Teething plants

According to Bonner botanists many more plants than previously thought use calcium phosphate, a component of teeth and bones, to strengthen their defensive hairs and thorns.

Diese Computermäuse bestehen aus Polymilchsäure

Source

Kathrin Morawietz/ IfBB

A new computer mouse developed by Hannover researchers is made of 83% renewable raw materials based on sugar cane.

09.01.2018 News

Consumables unspecific Chemistry

Computer mouse made of sugar cane

Yoghurt cups and water bottles made from polylactic acid are en vogue. Material scientists in Hannover have developed a computer mouse housing material based on sugar cane.

Source

Marco Thines

11.01.2018 News

Agriculture and forestry Plants Biodiversity

Genome of European Beech deciphered

Researchers at the Senckenberg research institute decoded the genome of the European Beech. The new genetic information will allow for targeted breeding of stress tolerant trees.

Source

Pixabay

The new EU Novel Food Regulation, in effect since January 2018, now allows insects or insect-based products as food across Europe. Particularly in Germany, however, the public opinion is still very sceptical when it comes to eating insects.

11.01.2018 News

Food Animals Nutritional sciences

EU paves way for insect-derived food

Since January 2018, insect-derived food can be commercialised according to the rules of the new Novel Food Legislation.

Source

Ricke 76 | pixabay

16.02.2018 Studies and statistics

unspecific Plants Agriculture sciences

FiBL and IFOAM (2018): The World of Organic Agriculture

The ‘Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL‘ and ‘IFOAM - Organics International‘ presented the latest edition of the study ‘The World of Organic Agriculture‘ at BIOFACH, the world's leading trade fair for organic food.

Source

PUMA SE

Microbial labels for T-shirts from the sporting goods manufacturer Puma react to environmental factors and change colour depending on the air quality.

10.04.2018 News

Consumables Microorganisms Biotechnology/Systems biology

Smart sporting clothes with microbes

Sporting goods manufacturer Puma and the MIT in Boston are developing smart and bio-based running shoes and a T-shirt that uses microbes to respond to environmental factors.