Researchers in the Fundamentals for synthetic biological systems cluster are hoping to make a breakthrough in biotechnology by developing more effective processes of producing, for example, chemicals and biopharmaceuticals. Eight TUHH researchers are working in this field with colleagues from the University of Hamburg and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) at DESY. Their objective is on the one hand to optimize existing metabolic processes and on the other to develop new, synthetic metabolic processes for the biotechnological production of, for instance, new types of medicines or regenerative energy sources. The researchers hope, for example, to make a breakthrough in synthesizing hydrogen from biomass to fuel cars. This establishes a new field of research at TUHH, at the interface of life sciences and engineering, and could revolutionize biotechnology and life sciences altogether. The researchers involved believe that the significance of this new field of research into synthetic system biotechnology is comparable with that of the development of semiconductor technology for electro- and information technology.

“The linking of chemistry, biology and engineering sciences in this cluster is unique and will pave the way for a successful application to the next National Excellence Initiative,” said the cluster coordinator, Professor Dr. An-Ping Zeng. Professor Zeng, a bioengineer, is Head of the TUHH Institute for Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering. He is an internationally acknowledged expert in the as yet young discipline of systems biology.

Researchers in the Integrated Material Systems cluster are looking for tailor-made materials for industrial lightweight construction. The objective of this state excellence cluster applied for jointly by the TUHH, the GKSS research centers, DESY, and the University of Hamburg, is to develop completely new kinds of composite materials made from polymers, ceramics and metals. In doing so, nanostructures will be implemented in macroscopic components. The aim is to develop materials with completely new properties, properties that it has so far been impossible to combine, for example extreme hardness with the greatest possible degree of ductile malleability. Such materials would be ideal, for example, for making false teeth. They could also be used in aviation. The coordinator of this cluster project is Professor Dr.-Ing. Gerold Schneider, Head of the Institute for Advanced Ceramics at the TUHH.

Materials and material technologies form the basis of a strong-selling one billion euro industry in Germany. Among the most important branches of industry in the Hamburg metropolitan region and the neighboring federal states of North Germany are the aviation and automotive industries, the wind power industry and the Port of Hamburg, where lightweight structural components play a key role.

In the course of their development, microorganisms have acquired a wide variety of properties. When these properties are used in industrial applications - for example in the food, cosmetics or chemical industries - experts speak of "industrial biotechnology". In order to promote this research and economic field more strongly in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding five strategic partnerships as part of the BioIndustry 2021 competition, in which players from science and industry come together in a cluster. One of these clusters is "BIOKATALYSE2021 - Sustainable Biocatalysis on New Paths".

The cluster has set itself the goal of achieving improvements in the areas of economic value creation, competitiveness and employment through an interdisciplinary network based on technical core competences and basic knowledge. Fifteen globally active large companies and 19 companies from the SME sector are participating in the project.

The different focal points and business models of the participating industrial partners ensure the commercialisation of the research results along the entire value chain - from enzyme screening to production and downstream processing to the end product. The necessary innovations are supported by a broad, interdisciplinary network of 22 research groups from universities and research centres.

The overall coordination is carried out by Prof. Dr. Garabed Antranikian (scientific director), head of the Institute for Technical Microbiology at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, and Dr. Helmut Thamer (lead cluster management), managing director of TuTech Innovation GmbH. They are supported operationally by the coordination office BIOKATALYSE2021-Office.

The cluster "Sustainable Biocatalysis on New Paths" will systematically research the great potential of industrially relevant biocatalysts from microorganisms in a joint and interdisciplinary research cooperation between industry and science and transfer it into an industrial application as well as into established structures.

The focus of KLIMZUG-NORD is on the development of techniques and methods for mitigating the consequences of climate change and adapting society and the economy to the increased risks posed by climate change.

In the future, climate change will intensify the already existing areas of tension between the growing metropolis of Hamburg and the surrounding rural region, as well as between the demands of a dynamic economic region and the requirements of nature conservation. The integration of all important actors and decision-makers in the region into a common adaptation strategy (integrative approach) is crucial for the success of adaptation to climate change.

The project pursues a combination of scientific, economic and technological expertise. Political, administrative, scientific and private-sector actors join forces to form a climate network in order to strengthen the dialogue between science, business and politics with the aim of jointly identifying the consequences of climate change and specific focal points for action for the metropolitan region up to the time horizon 2050.

Six universities, six research institutes, ten public authorities and institutions close to public authorities and ten companies are directly involved in KLIMZUG-NORD. In addition, there are numerous other associated partners. The five-year KLIMZUG-NORD project has a total volume of 29 million euros. It is mainly funded by the federal government with about 15 million euros. The participating institutions are contributing considerable funds of their own. A further approx. 1.2 million euros are being contributed by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.