Healthcare industry

Article - 01/03/2017

foxySpec – an analysis system with huge potential for bioproduction and diagnostics

The mass spectrometry-based foxySpec system enables the monitoring of gases and liquids simultaneously in real time. These simultaneous measurements make the system interesting for medical diagnostics applications. However, bioproduction can also benefit from foxySpec, which can also be used to measure a large number of products during the production process in real time, thus supporting smooth processes in fermenters.

Article - 12/01/2017

Test system for skin damage caused by solar radiation

Based on an accredited test method, the Fraunhofer IGB has developed an in vitro phototoxicity assay to measure the phototoxic potential of substances in medications and lotions used to protect the skin against environmental influences, which can become toxic when exposed to UV light. The assay uses human skin cells that have been grown into three-dimensional tissue as a human skin model.

Article - 14/09/2015

A membrane for protein factories of the future

The cellular protein machinery is a marvel of nature and produces umpteen different proteins. Most of these proteins pass through a stack of membrane-enclosed discs, known as the Golgi apparatus, a miniature reaction chamber where the finishing touch is progressively added to the proteins. Rudolf Hausmann, professor and head of the Department of Bioprocess Engineering at the University of Hohenheim, is developing membranes based on the Golgi…

The latest articles, press releases and dossiers on red biotechnology in Baden-Württemberg

Article - 30/06/2014

Scale is key: biodata for optimising bioproduction

Biotech research is aimed at improving industrial-scale microbial production, making it more profitable and more competitive. However, laboratory-scale data cannot easily be transferred one to one to large-scale production. New systems biology concepts for the simulation of large-scale production are now set to make this possible.

Article - 12/11/2012

Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences appoints new professor of bioprocess engineering

Volker C. Hass joined the Furtwangen University of Applied Sciences at the beginning of the 2012/2013 winter semester. His presence strengthens the university’s team on the bio- and process engineering bachelor’s degree programme. Every year, two thirds of the 100 or so first-semester students choose biotechnology as part of their main studies and around one third choose process engineering.

Article - 15/10/2012

Rudolf Hausmann – green surfactants from bacteria

In April 2012 Rudolf Hausmann jr. was appointed professor of the newly established chair of bioprocess engineering at the University of Hohenheim. His passion biosurfactants used in cleaning agents detergents and foods which will in the future enable normally non-mixable liquids such as oil and water to be mixed together.

Article - 06/02/2012

Ten outstanding ideas in biotechnology and medical technology

The results of the feasibility studies funded under the Idea Competition in Biotechnology and Medical Technology were presented in the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart between 16th and 18th January 2012. Ten of the 42 project ideas were recommended for further funding.

Article - 14/11/2011

Does cloudy apple juice prevent colon cancer?

The likelihood of developing colon cancer very much depends on dietary factors. Foods and nutrients with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties have been found to reduce the likelihood of developing this kind of cancer. Research done by scientists from the Karlsruhe-based Max Rubner-Institut suggests that cloudy apple juice can prevent colon cancer. However, little is yet known about the molecular relationships between diet and disease.

Article - 01/09/2011

Quality by Design – a paradigm change in bioprocess development

Bioprocess technology has undergone a fundamental change with regard to the criteria used for validating product quality: around ten years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised the 1987 process validation guidance and the subsequent establishment of the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative heralded a paradigm change in bioprocess understanding and control. The FDA’s guidance underwent a paradigm shift from what was…

Article - 25/07/2011

Cell culturing as a taught subject: many more “Biberachs” are needed

Cell culture technology is only taught at a handful of universities. However, this interdisciplinary subject is the core of the “Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” programme offered by the Biberach University of Applied Sciences. We talked about the subject with Professor Jürgen Hannemann, founding dean of the “Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” programme, and with Professor Friedemann Hesse, who runs the “cell culture technology” teaching programme.

Article - 31/01/2011

Technische Universität Braunschweig – made-to-measure synthetic microorganisms

The Institute of Biochemical Engineering at Technische Universität Braunschweig (Technical University (TU) Braunschweig) is a member of the Biopolymers/Biomaterials cluster and, as such, is involved in two projects to produce diaminopentane and succinic acid using optimised microorganisms with the aim of establishing a basis from which to provide industry with new materials made from renewable resources.

Article - 10/01/2011

Review: What does the cell factory of the future look like?

A symposium on “Cell Factories of the Future” was held at the Laupheim-based company Rentschler Biotechnologie on 14th and 15th October 2010. The event attracted around 70 scientists from academia and industry and will now take place every two years. The symposium focused on new biomanufacturing developments and technologies, and included lectures on (animal) cells, cell factories and the future of recombinant protein production.

The research and analyses carried out by the Max Rubner Institute are aimed at protecting consumer health. The institute investigates the contamination of meat and fish and also focuses on the health benefits of food additives and the future of functional food.

Jiangnan University JU is one of Chinas key universities of the 211 Project and functions under the Ministry of Education. The university host the National Engineering Laboratory of Fermentation Technology the Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology the Engineering Research Center of Bioactive Product Processing Jiangsu Province and the Collection of Industrial Microbes Resources.

Article - 15/07/2010

Droplet by droplet – nanodosing of the highest quality

Researchers at the Fraunhofer IPA in Stuttgart have developed a new method for the automated dosing of liquids in the micro- and nanoscale. The “i-doT” system avoids the use of pipette tips, is suited for high-throughput applications and allows the contact-free spotting of samples, thereby avoiding contamination. The sample droplets are transferred into microtitre plate well boreholes through the application of precisely dosable pressure pulses.

Article - 10/07/2010

Algae light up industry

The potential of Microalgae cannot yet be optimally used on the large scale. The bioprocess engineer Dr. Rosa Rosello and her team at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT are investigating the conditions under which different microalgae species can optimally grow in photobioreactors and lead to high product yields. It is all a question of light and shade.

Article - 04/02/2010

Fraunhofer IGB – from biobased materials to products

The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB carries out applied research in the fields of medicine pharmacy chemistry environment and energy. The IGB looks for sustainable solutions using nature as model.

Article - 01/12/2009

Ralf Takors – a bio-engineer

Multidisciplinary talent, people who can combine biological knowledge in an outstanding way with engineering, is in great demand. Ralf Takors, who has been head of the Institute of Bioprocess Engineering (IBVT) at the University of Stuttgart since July 2009, is one such talent.

Article - 30/07/2009

Keeping as many valuable attachments as possible

The goal of many projects focusing on the purification of recombinant proteins is to rapidly and effectively remove substances and side products that would compromise the quality and quantity of biopharmaceutical compounds. A consortium of industrial and scientific partners is currently focusing on a different step in the biopharmaceutical production process: the goal is to keep as many as possible of the drugs’ ‘attachments’. The project focuses…

Article - 01/07/2009

KIT - Competence in bioprocess engineering

The purification of microbially produced substances such as proteins and polysaccharides and their separation from or release from within the cell are complex tasks in the field of biotechnology. The Bioprocess Engineering department of the Institute of Process Engineering in the Life Sciences TH deals with the development of integrated bioprocesses and is also involved in the separation of biopolymers.

Joint research projects must be submitted to both nodal agencies by 31 October 2008.

Aerated stirred tank reactors have virtually become a standard piece of equipment in bioprocess engineering. No other bioprocess engineering bioreactor is as versatile meaning that significant time- and cost savings are made.

People with know-how must bear responsibility said the microbiologist Dr. Kilian Hennes who lectures bioprocess engineering at Constance University of Applied Sciences HTWG. Teaching is one of the major challenges for the experienced scientist and practitioner in particular because his discipline is seen as somewhat exotic by future process engineers and requires a different way of looking at things. But this is what makes his job truly…

If the environment is right and both sides are genuinely interested in working together then the cooperation between biologists and engineers will lead to top technologies. One example of such cooperations is the bioreactors of the Department of Cell Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart.