(German title: FH-Uni Forschnungscluster Magnetische Enzyme - MAGNENZ)

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports research collaborations between universities and universities of applied sciences, which also allow graduates of universities of applied sciences to complete a doctorate. In this competition, the concept of the Trier University of Applied Sciences and the TU Kaiserslautern on the subject of "Magnetic Enzymes (MAGNENZ)" prevailed over 92 applications and, together with six other concepts, is one of the winners of the multi-stage application process. This success is also due to the long-standing collaboration between the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld of Trier University of Applied Sciences and the TU Kaiserslautern, which was also supported by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The BMBF initiative aims to utilise the special research strengths of the partners involved for the joint training of young scientists. In MAGNENZ, a total of eight working groups from both universities are working closely together in the structured doctoral training programme. The project is coordinated by Prof Dr Kampeis from Trier UAS and Prof Dr Ulber from TU Kaiserslautern. The aim of the research college is to guide the best graduates from both universities in the fields of chemistry and process engineering towards a doctorate. MAGNENZ focusses on the development and application of superparamagnetic nanoparticles as carriers of enzymes in the chemical industry and in food technology. For example, new types of fatty acids are to be produced, which are necessary for the development of bio-based polymers. Improving the flavour of wine is also on the agenda of the researchers involved. Magnetic nanoparticles represent a highly innovative possibility in modern process technology that will simplify many processes considerably and make them cheaper. In a two-stage process, a total of 3.6 million euros has been requested for the research centre for a period of six years. In the first - already approved - phase of three years, which began in October 2011, four students at Trier University of Applied Sciences and four students at Kaiserslautern University of Technology will work together towards a doctorate. The topics of the dissertations range from (i) the production of magnetic carrier particles, (ii) the optimised production of the required enzymes, (iii) the immobilisation of the enzymes on the magnetic carrier particles, (iv) the construction of the required magnetic separators, (v) the design of reactor / magnetic separator systems to (vi) the application of the developed techniques in biocatalytic reactions for the production of basic and fine chemicals as well as in food technology.