Press releases and news

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  • Synthesizing fine chemicals / 2024

    Technological Advance in Production of Pharmaceuticals

    Research News / October 01, 2024

    Fine chemicals are used in pharmaceutical production in particular. Large quantities are less of a concern in these applications than functionality and high purity levels.
    © Getty Images

    Production of fine chemicals such as those used in pharmaceuticals is typically complex and laborious. An interdisciplinary team of Fraunhofer researchers worked together across different projects to devise a method modeled on a cascade, in which multiple successive stages of synthesis proceed without interruption. This is made possible through the use of novel catalysts in specially adjusted flow-through reactors. The new method makes the process of manufacturing drugs more efficient and conserves energy. In this way, the modular technology platform supports the production of pharmaceuticals in Germany as an industrial location.

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  • Testing chemicals and cosmetics safely without animal testing / 2024

    Reporter Skin: In-vitro Skin Makes Cell Reaction to Test Substance Measurable in Real Time

    Press release Fraunhofer IGB / September 30, 2024

    The three-dimensional reporter skin of Fraunhofer IGB is an in-vitro model of human skin, which makes the cellular response to a test substance measurable on the living model using an integrated reporter.
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    The EU has banned animal testing for cosmetics and non-animal alternative methods are preferable for the risk assessment of new chemical substances. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, a three-dimensional skin model has now been set up for the first time that directly displays the skin's reaction to substances: The reporter skin. Thanks to the built-in reporter, the cellular response can be measured precisely and quickly – using a living model. This means that not only cosmetics can be tested effectively, but also allergens and the inflammation-causing or toxic effects of biocides, pesticides and chemicals.

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  • Adapting to climate change / 2024

    Innovative agricultural production with treated water: first living lab in operation

    HypoWave Press release / August 13, 2024

    Tomatenanbau im Gewächshaus
    © Wiebke Pieper, IseBauern GmbH& Co. KG

    Regional conflicts over the use of water resources are rather common and will continue to intensify as a result of climate change and the increasing strain on natural water resources. Water-intensive agriculture in particular is dependent on efficient solutions. In the HypoWave+ research project, a farm in Lower Saxony is currently implementing a particularly water-efficient process for the hydroponic cultivation of vegetables using high-quality recycled wastewater. On August 20, 2024, media representatives are invited to explore the large-scale implementation as part of this scientifically supported living lab.

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  • Intensive care medicine / 2024

    Pathogen identification – next-generation sequencing optimizes diagnostics

    Research News / June 12, 2024

    Established partnership (from top left to bottom right): Dr. Kai Sohn (Fraunhofer IGB), Prof. Thorsten Brenner (University Hospital Essen), Dr. Silke Grumaz and Dr. Philip Stevens (both from Noscendo GmbH).
    © Piotr Banczerowski, Fraunhofer/Maximiliane Nirschl

    Invasive infections such as sepsis require immediate and targeted treatment. Experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and group partners have succeeded in establishing a reconceptualized detection principle that can make a crucial contribution to saving lives through fast, ultra-accurate pathogen identification. They have been chosen to receive the 2024 Stifterverband Science Prize for their efforts.

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  • LaChiPur / 2024

    Functionalized Chitosan as a Biobased Flocculant for the Treatment of Complex Wastewater

    Press release Fraunhofer IGB / May 02, 2024

    As functionalized flocculant, LaChiPur removes not only suspended solids but also phenols from rinsing water in red wine production.
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB have developed a biobased and functionalized flocculant to efficiently treat complex wastewaters. Furthermore, toxic phenols are removed from the water by the enzyme laccase in a chitosan matrix. The functionalized and degradable flocculant LaChiPur will be presented for the first time at the IFAT in Munich from May 13–17, 2024.

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  • Feathers replace petroleum / 2024

    Adhesives from feathers

    Research News / March 01, 2024

    © Fraunhofer IGB

    Adhesives are almost always based on fossil raw materials such as petroleum. Researchers at Fraunhofer have recently developed a process that allows to utilize keratin for this purpose. This highly versatile protein compound can be found, for instance, in chicken feathers. Not only can it be used to manufacture a host of different adhesives for a variety of applications, but the processes and end products are also sustainable and follow the basic principles underlying a bio-inspired circular economy. The project, developed together with Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, addresses a billion-dollar market.

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  • Reproducible in-vitro canine skin / 2024

    Lab-grown canine skin provides a canvas for testing medical treatments

    Research News / February 01, 2024

    Dogs have sensitive skin. The lab-grown canine skin equivalent can be used to test the efficacy and compatibility of treatments and care products.
    © privat

    Reproducible in-vitro canine skin has been grown in a laboratory setting for the first time by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB. The research team developed a full-thickness dog skin equivalent based on native skin cells. This makes it possible to precisely test medical treatments in vitro on the sensitive skin of dogs. The skin equivalent can even be used to test the compatibility of care products such as shampoo or soap - eliminating the need for animal testing.

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  • On the terror attack against Israel

    Statement / November 03, 2023

    We at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB condemn the Hamas terror attacks against Israel in the strongest possible terms and express our deepest sympathy to all our Israeli partners, especially to the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Drug Discovery and Delivery @ Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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  • EthaNa® plant officially opened at Fraunhofer CBP / 2023

    Rapeseed makes more than just oil – it’s a source of proteins too

    Press release Fraunhofer CBP / May 03, 2023

    De-hulling system
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    At the Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP in Leuna, Germany, representatives from politics, research and industry opened a novel pilot plant for the mild processing of rapeseed to increase the added-value potential of rape as a raw material. Based on a biorefinery, the plant not only delivers high-grade, pre-raffinate-quality rapeseed oil, but also a high-grade, protein-rich rapeseed kernel concentrate, secondary plant substances dissolved in ethanol and rapeseed hulls, which represent further products. The plant was built as part of the joint research project EthaNa, which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).

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  • Wastewater treatment / 2023

    Plasma against toxic PFAS chemicals

    Press release Fraunhofer IGB / May 02, 2023

    The plasma atmosphere is clearly visible in the reactor through the characteristic glow and flashes of light.
    © Fraunhofer IGB

    Harmful PFAS chemicals can now be detected in many soils and bodies of water. Removing them using conventional filter techniques is costly and almost infeasible. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are now successfully implementing a plasma-based technology in the AtWaPlas joint research project. Contaminated water is fed into a combined glass and stainless steel cylinder where it is then treated with ionized gas, i.e. plasma. This reduces the PFAS molecular chains, allowing the toxic substance to be removed at a low cost.

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