Institute Biotechnology

Outstanding development opportunities

In order to maintain a strong research profile, the institute has identified three focus areas where it takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to research: medical biotechnology, bioprocess technology and materials science. The research groups within these focus areas provide excellent opportunities for young scientists to realise their potential.

Medical biotechnology

Our research into medical biotechnology focuses on identifying, validating and optimising molecules and biologics that can be used in personalised medicine or antiviral therapy, or as biomarkers. The institute has built up a wide range of methods and resources within this research focus over the past few years. The subjects we address include tissue engineering, creating human cell culture models, developing antiviral treatments, and optogenetic engineering of cell lines and receptors.

Bioprocess engineering

The bioprocess engineering research focus concentrates on systematic characterisation of bioreactors, optimisation of bioprocesses for manufacturing recombinant materials in bacterial host systems and yeast systems, and the establishment of co-cultivation of extremophile microorganisms to produce pharmaceutically effective secondary metabolites. The institute can also call on a host of innovative methods and resources in this field.

Materials science

Producing and characterising new materials, with an emphasis on renewable raw materials, is another key aspect of the institute’s work.