Healthcare industry

Article - 12/11/2012

HANDTE Umwelttechnik GmbH – a system provider of energy-efficient exhaust air purification solutions

The purification of exhaust air, a classical technology for end-of-pipe environmental protection, is commonly used in cases when industrial processes result in malodorous exhaust air or air contaminated with hazardous substances. HANDTE Umwelttechnik GmbH started specialising in such solutions way back in 1889.

Article - 17/09/2012

Thomas Paulöhrl: spatially and temporally controlled light-induced reactions

Thomas Paulöhrl, polymer chemist from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), was awarded the 2012 Lanxess Talent Award for his achievements in further developing light-induced click strategies that can now be used for generating various surface structures and three-dimensional frameworks. His Ph.D. thesis not only provides the basis for new ways to efficiently modify material, it also opens up new research opportunities in medical drug…

Article - 19/09/2011

k-labor GmbH – a specialist in material analysis and characterisation

k-labor GmbH focuses on the initial inspection of samples for the automotive industry and the testing of a broad range of different materials. k-labor also specialises in environmental simulations and durability testing and offers consulting and the transfer of technologies in the plastics sector.

Article - 23/10/2009

Agrano – organic yeast for the industry

Riegel-based Agrano GmbH & Co. has been producing Bioreal Organic Yeast since 1996. The company is a subsidiary of Hanover-based Martin Braun KG, which is a member of the Oetker Group. The company’s product is used by bakers in the production of organically flawless bread as well as makers of 100% organic soups and spreads.

Article - 21/03/2011

C.S.P. – linking cultivation and application

A growing number of industrial companies would like to use renewable raw materials for production, out of ecological, economic or technical interest. However, it is not always easy for many of the companies to get into contact with farmers and secure the supply of crops in the quantity and quality they require. Dresden-based C.S.P. Consulting und Service für Pflanzliche Rohstoffe GmbH is now able to use its know-how and that of its partners to…

Article - 06/08/2012

SystemsX.ch to fund systems biology research

SystemsX.ch is currently the biggest research initiative in Switzerland to provide financial support and technologies in the field of systems biology research. It is a consortium of twelve Swiss research institutions and universities but also works with non-Swiss institutions including the Baden-Württemberg-based company KNIME GmbH. The initiative is interested in expanding its cooperation with other life sciences companies and universities.

Article - 09/07/2012

Crayfish chitin is an important raw material

In his Konstanz-based Vegafood project office Dr. Peter May is focused on sustainable breeding of crayfish with the aim of advancing industrial scale chitin research. European crayfish shed their skin several times a year providing research institutions and chitin product manufacturers with access to crustacean carapaces.

Press release - 05/06/2012

Engineered moss produces human hormone

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a human protein hormone that is predominantly produced in kidneys. Scientists from the Chair of Plant Biotechnology of the University of Freiburg, Germany, around Dr. Eva Decker and Professor Ralf Reski and from the Freiburg-based biotech company greenovation have genetically engineered the moss Physcomitrella patens in such a way that it now produces recombinant human asialo-EPO in the moss bioreactor. The researchers…

Article - 12/03/2012

Biological nanopores on chips for determining the properties of molecules

Researchers led by Prof. Dr. Jan C. Behrends and Dr. Gerhard Baaken from the University of Freiburg have developed a chip the size of a fingertip containing biological nanopores that determine molecule mass with great precision. Developing this new system which is a combination of biological and micro-technical components involved a great deal of technical skill. The system has the same level of sensitivity as a chromatography device but is much…

Article - 03/10/2010

LimCo International - innovative methods to assess water pollution

LimCo International has developed the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor a unique continuous early warning system that enables the fully automated detection of water contamination. The companys GamTox toxicity test can be used to assess the ecological situation of flowing waters.

Press release - 10/12/2009

Hydrogen from microalgae

Hydrogen (H2) produced from water has great potential to be an environmentally friendly energy carrier of the future. However, the future application of hydrogen and other CO2-neutral sustainable fuels also requires the development of production methods that can contribute to the energy supply of tomorrow. Some unicellular green algae and cyanobacteria use light to break up water into hydrogen and oxygen. In cooperation with eight partners, KIT…

Press release - 30/04/2009

Research project "Biomass from short rotation forestry"

The research project “Biomass from short rotation forestry” was kicked off during a planting campaign on 29th April in Buchen-Oberneudorf (administrative district of Neckar-Odenwald). The objective of the project is to establish an area of 150 ha for fast-growing trees and Miscanthus in Baden-Württemberg between 2008 and 2012 and thus advance the expansion of renewable energies.

Press release - 02/09/2011

Environment Action Programme evaluated

Major accomplishments in the field of environment during the past ten years have been the extension of the Natura 2000 network to cover almost 18 of the EUs land area the introduction of a comprehensive chemicals policy and policy action on climate change.

Article - 29/05/2009

ITV Denkendorf – Hi-tech think tank for textiles

The Institute of Textile Technology and Process Engineering Denkendorf ITV Denkendorf is Germanys largest and oldest textile research centre. Research is carried out in specialised laboratories and technical centres covering the entire range of textiles from raw materials to the final product both in basic as well as applied research.

Article - 02/05/2011

Intelligent adhesives inspired by nature

Boston ivy ivy and other woody vines have unusually strong adhesive forces. The question researchers are asking is can they transfer the surface adhesion principle of ivy to technical applications? The Plant Biomechanics Group led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck in Freiburg is working on one project that focuses on using nature as a model for intelligent adhesive bonds.

Press release - 29/03/2011

Freiburg Regional Council to fund MedicalMountains cluster initiative

The Freiburg Regional Council has granted MedicalMountains AG funds totalling 405,000 euros for establishing a professional management structure for the Tuttlingen-based medical technology cluster. District President Julian Würtenberger awarded the 405,000-euro grant to Dieter Teufel, president of the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce and representative of the Tuttlingen-based cluster, in which BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg…

Press release - 21/03/2011

Crop production - plate or tank?

As part of the “University of Hohenheim – strength through communication” thematic year 2011, Dr. Detlef Virchow, Executive Manager of the Food Security Center at the University of Hohenheim, talked to us about the medium-term risks of E10 biofuel in relation to global food safety.

Press release - 26/11/2010

Singapore meets Baden-Württemberg: biotechnology and medical technology companies exchange views

Several biotechnology and medical technology companies from Baden-Wüttemberg and Singapore interested in international cooperation met in Stuttgart on 19th November 2010. The event was organised by SRING Singapore Enterprise and BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg GmbH.

Press release - 28/11/2010

Europeans are optimistic about biotechnology

A new Europe-wide poll, the Eurobarometer survey on life sciences and biotechnology, shows public support for responsible innovation in life sciences and biotechnology. 53 % of respondents believe biotechnology will have a positive effect in the future, and only 20 % a negative effect. The survey also reveals important knowledge gaps, pointing to a need for more communication.

Article - 27/09/2010

Fraunhofer ICT – from biomass to technical materials

The Pfinztal-based Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology investigates and develops innovative technical materials on the basis of biobased thermoplasts and furanic resin. Innovative companies in the consumer goods, packaging and transport industries are extremely interested in such products.

With the investment of 4.2 per cent of its gross domestic product in research and development Baden-Württemberg leads other German states and European countries in this sector. The 27 European states spent an average of only 1.8 per cent.

Article - 31/07/2010

Tanja Weil: solutions involving biohybrid materials

Tanja Weil travelled across half the globe in order to be able to start her new position as the head of the Institute of Organic Chemistry III Macromolecular Chemistry and Organic Materials at the University of Ulm on 1 May 2010. Prior to her current position the 36-year-old chemist was associate professor at the renowned National University of Singapore and is now trying to bridge her discipline with the disciplines of biology medicine and the…

Article - 03/05/2010

In order to innovate, we must come down from the ivory tower

At talks given at the recent Biotechnology Days in Berlin representatives of a number of different BMBF-funded clusters showed that numerous strategies to enable the industrial production of biopolymers and biomaterials from resources other than oil are now available.

Press release - 09/03/2010

Insilico: co-designer of innovative cell factory for fine chemicals

A new BMBF joint project to transfer systems biology research directly into practical applications is profiting from Insilico Biotechnology’s expertise. The goal is to make Pseudomonas bacterial strains fit for commercial use in the field of industrial biocatalysis. The project will run for three years, coordinated by BASF and financed with approx. EUR 5.5 million. Insilico Biotechnology is the second partner from industry, while all others are…

Article - 05/01/2010

Biocatalysis – a perfect mission for Bernhard Hauer

Even though human beings are great inventors, nature itself frequently comes up with the best solutions. One good example is enzymes: in contrast to the processes used in the technical-chemical production of basic industrial substances, enzymatic biocatalysis saves energy, raw materials and reduces side and waste products. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hauer, the new director of the Institute of Technical Biochemistry (ITB) at the University of Stuttgart is…