Press releases and news 2014

Improving the long-term stability and integration of medically engineered implants into their surrounding tissue by equipping them with a biological coating was the concept presented by IGVP PhD student Mara Ruff in the “ideaTrophy 2014” competition sponsored by the company Freudenberg, which was chosen in December 2014 as one of two winning ideas.

Andrea Hornberger received the annual prize for Outstanding Master’s Thesis by Students of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the company Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG.

Partners from seven EU countries cooperate in OVOSHINE, a 3-year EU funded project to develop innovative technology for the egg sector. Small and medium egg industries will be able to sanitize eggshell effectively at a low cost.

Fossil fuels are still by far the most important basis for the chemical products we know – ranging from fuel to plastics and textiles, lubricants and construction materials to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. However, fossil resources are finite, and climate change coupled with a growing world population present society with major challenges. A “biobased” economy – “bioeconomy” for short – promises a sustainable solution to securing food for the human race. Secondly, it uses renewable resources for the production of energy and materials, while at the same time protecting the climate and the environment.

Young scientist Daniel Frank was awarded the LEWA prize for his achievements in the field of process engineering. The annual honor from the Leonberg-based company LEWA is awarded for excellent theses in the area of process engineering at the University of Stuttgart. Daniel Frank, who did his PhD at the Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology IGVP, carried out research into the manufacture of potassium fertilizer from liquid manure for his dissertation.

Last year the Fraunhofer IGB further developed its cooperation activities with partners in industry and research. In collaboration with Global Bioenergies GmbH, an industrial pilot plant will be set up at the Fraunhofer CBP in Leuna for the manufacture of isobutene from biogenic raw materials.

For her outstanding research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine Fraunhofer scientist Prof. Dr. Katja Schenke-Layland has been distinguished with the 2014 Young Scientist Award of the Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society – European Chapter (TERMIS-EU).

Hospital germs can be fatal, since they are resistant to antibiotics. As a result, alternative methods of defense against bacteria are in demand. Fortunately, a German-French research team has been able to develop bone implants that keep the germs at bay.

In order to avoid wine spoilage, most wineries add sulphur dioxide to the wine. However, sulphites dissolved in the wine can potentially cause allergies. An alternative preservation method without or with significantly reduced sulphite addition has been developed by an international consortium within the EU-funded project "PreserveWine-DEMO", in which the Fraunhofer IGB is involved.

What medications can be used to treat lung cancer, and how effective are they? Until now, drug companies have had to rely on animal testing to find out. But in the future, a new 3D model lung is set to achieve more precise results and ultimately minimize – or even completely replace – animal testing. From June 23-26, researchers will be presenting their new model at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, California (Germany Pavilion, Booth 4513-03).