German Research Foundation - Current projects

Resource-Saving Biofilm Reactors for Aerosol Biotransformations (ReActoB)

ReActoB will pioneer an innovative, resource-efficient biofilm reactor for aerosol biotransformations (BRAB), designed for the conversion of cyclic alkanes through advanced microbial biofilm technology...

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PartnerProf. Dr. Katja Bühler (UfZ Leipzig)
StatusCurrent project
FundingGerman Research Foundation (DFG)
Funding periode07/2025 - 06/2028
Funding codeUL 170/27-1
Mitarbeiter/-InnenM. Sc. Nina Zistler

Characterisation of drought tolerance and water storage of phototrophic biofilms

Due to global warming, in addition to higher temperatures, extreme weather events will also occur more frequently in the future, which will have a considerable impact on agriculture. In addition, longer periods of heat will lead to progressive desertification. Irrigation during hot spells cannot be guaranteed, so ideally the water must be kept in the soil for longer. In this project, the scientific and process-technical foundations are to be created to be able to use phototrophic biofilms to improve water retention in the soil and for the rehabilitation of degraded land. 

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PartnerProf. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Bröckel
StatusCurrent project
FundingGerman Research Foundation (DFG)
Funding periode08/2024 - 07/2027
Funding codeSTR 1650/7-1
Mitarbeiter/-InnenM.Sc. Moritz Faul

Magnetic separation of P-loaded adsorber particles (Project C1 within Research Training Group WERA)

By using functionalized, magnetic adsorber particles in combination with magnetic separation techniques, it is possible to separate selected substances from process solutions directly and independently of the presence of other dissolved substances and other suspended solid particles...

Further information

Partnersee WERA Homepage
StatusCurrent project
FundingGerman Research Foundation (DFG)
Funding periode07/2024 - 06/2029
Funding codeWERA (GRK 2908)
Mitarbeiter/-Innen

M. Sc. Marcel Cwienczek

Production of ethyl-butyrate in a self-sufficient reaction cascade (PEBcascade)

With this project, the applicants want to investigate a self-sufficient biotechnological reaction cascade for the production of the fuel ethyl butyrate. In our approach, an artificial anaerobic mixed culture of clostridia and yeast or bacteria is used in combination with a surface-dissolved lipase for the production of the ester in a reaction system. 

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PartnersElectrobiotechnology
(Prof. Dirk Holtmann), KIT
Chair of Powertrains in Automotive Engineering
(Prof. Michael Günthner), RPTU Kaiserslautern
StatusCurrent project
Funding organisationGerman Research Foundation
Funding period10/2022 - 12/2026
Funding codeUL 170/26-1
EmployeesKatharina Oehlenschläger

German Research Foundation - Completed projects

ProjektInfos
Use of phototrophic biofilms in the agricultural sector to improve plant growthFunding code: STR 1650/1-1
Funding period: 07/2021 - 06/2025
Biofilms on microstructured surfaces; sub-project in SFB 926 "Component surfaces: Morphology on the Microscale" - 1st to 3rd funding phase 
(German title:  Biofilme auf mikrostrukturierten Oberflächen; Teilvorhaben im SFB 926 "Bauteiloberflächen: Morphologie auf der Mikroskala")
SFB 926
Funding period: 07/2011 - 06/2023
Optimization the production of antimicrobial agents using terrestrial cyanobacteria
(German title: Optimierung der Produktion antimikrobieller Wirkstoffe mittels terrestrischer Cyanobakterien) 
Funding code: UL 170/16-1
Funding period: 02/2017 - 12/2020
Investigation of the process behaviour of productive biofilms
(German title: Untersuchung des Prozessverhaltens von produktiven Biofilmen)
Funding code: UL 170/14-1
Funding period: 07/2016 - 12/2019
Extraction of pharmacologically relevant triterpenes from plant cell cultures using the example of oleanolic and ursolic acid
(German title: Gewinnung von pharmakologisch relevanten Triterpenen aus pflanzlichen Zellkulturen am Beispiel von Oleanol- und Ursolsäure)
Funding code: UL 170/8-1
Funding period: 01/2010-12/2011
Nutrient-poor emersed fermentations of terrestrial cyanobacteria for the production of biotechnological materials
(German title: Nährstoffarme Emers-Fermentationen terrestrischer Cyanobakterien zur Produktion biotechnischer Wertstoffe)
Funding code: UL 170/7-1
Funding period: 03/2010-02/2012
Search for and use of enzymes of marine origin for the targeted hydrolysis of sulphated polysaccharides
(German title: Suche nach und Verwendung von Enzymen marinen Ursprungs zur gezielten Hydrolyse sulfatierter Polysaccharide)
Funding code: UL 170/3-3
Funding period: 07/2008-06/2011
Search for and use of enzymes of marine origin for the directed hydrolysis of sulphated polysaccharidesFunding code: UL 170/3-1 and UL 170/3-2
Funding period: 02/2005 - 05/2008 
Confocal laser scanning microscope for biological questions
(German title: Konfokales Laserscanning-Mikroskop für biologische Fragestellungen)
Funding code: INST 248/150-1 FUGG (Application under the large-scale research equipment programme)
Funding period: 2011
Bioprocess engineering analysis facility (mini-plant system)
(German title: Analyseeinrichtung Bioverfahrenstechnik (Mini-Plant-Anlage))
Funding code: INST 248/62-1 FUGG (Application under the large-scale research equipment programme)
Funding period: 2007
Bilateral symposium (USA) - Workshop on process intensification for the production of biogenic energy sources from phototrophic microorganisms
(German title: Bilaterales Symposium (USA) - Workshop zur Prozessintensivierung der Produktion biogener Energieträger phototropher Mikroorganismen)
Funding code: UL 170/11-1
Funding period: 16/03/2012 - 15/03/2013