Press releases and news 2022

Speed or accuracy? As far as COVID-19 tests go, this was the choice you had to make. In the future, this dilemma could be a thing of the past. The Pathogen Analyzer combines the advantages of PCR testing and rapid antigen testing – it provides a reliable result after only 20 to 40 minutes. In not too long, this assay will be able to simultaneously detect up to 11 other pathogens. A demonstrator of the system will be exhibited at the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf from November 14 to 17, 2022 (Hall 3, Booth E74/F74).

The LIKE-A-PRO project (No. 101083961), funded by the European Union under the topic “HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-07” has officially started on November 1st, 2022. The project brings together key representatives along the entire alternative protein value chain (protein producers, ingredient & product developers, culinary centres, food clusters), scientists and market & communication experts in a trans-disciplinary consortium (42 entities in 17 countries) coordinated by the technological center CTIC CITA.

Today, genome editing is almost as easy as programming software. However, the generation of viral vectors as initial material is still associated with many expensive and error-prone handling procedures. Viruses are generated via complex biological processes that have to be optimised virus-specifically in order to produce high-quality therapeutics. A new method is needed that simplifies and optimises these processes.

This summer, the VITAL consortium has kick started a three-year project that will tackle the biggest challenges faced when replacing conventional fossil-based petrochemical materials with sustainable bio-based alternatives.

The World BioEconomy Forum used the social media campaign for "World Bioproduct Day" on July 7, 2022, to draw attention to the role and importance of biobased products and their potential to replace conventional fossil-based products. Researchers were able to apply with their own ideas, products, projects and research work to be presented as part of the campaign. The World BioEconomy Forum selected Dr. Susanne Zibek's research area Biosurfactants as "Bioproduct Day Favourite". The project will be presented at the World BioEconomy Forum, which will be held September 7-8, 2022. The campaign partners also selected the RoKKa project led by Dr.-Ing. Marius Mohr as a winner.

Viruses can make animals and humans sick – or healthy: Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB have succeeded in genetically modifying the herpes simplex virus type 1, which triggers painful cold sores, in such a way that it can be used in the fight against cancer in the future.

Stuttgart/Ulm. The Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector is funding the new research project RoKKa which is used to prove the viability of recovering raw materials from wastewater. This adds a crucial function to the scope of a conventional sewage treatment plant. Together with the operators of the sewage treatment plants in Erbach and Neu-Ulm, the project partners demonstrate the positive contribution towards climate protection and a secure feedstock supply, as the manufactured products can replace fossil materials and energy-intensive processes.

Stuttgart/Büsnau. The Ministry of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector is funding the KoalAplan project, which extends the functional scope of a wastewater treatment plant. The project, based in the Stuttgart district of Büsnau, aims at recovering raw materials from wastewater and is therefore making a positive contribution to climate neutrality, as the products obtained replace fossil raw materials and energy-intensive processes.

Making important raw materials for fine chemicals out of carbon dioxide really works. As part of the Max Planck collaborative project eBioCO₂n, a team of researchers from Fraunhofer IGB have successfully performed a first ever fixation of CO₂ via a multi-enzyme enzyme reaction driven by electricity yielding a prospective intermediate for the chemical industry. The process for electro-biocatalytic CO₂ fixation was recently published and is considered a “hot paper.”