Archive

Advanced Science: researchers investigate movements when leaves reopen

The rapid speed at which the carnivorous Venus flytrap catches its prey is legendary. What is less well known is that Dionaea muscipula is also capable of a variety of other forms of movement. In a study, a team at the Universities of Darmstadt, Freiburg and Stuttgart studied the opening – i.e. the “re-setting” – of the traps. The results are also interesting for technical disciplines such as mechanical engineering or soft robotics, and have just been published in the renowned journal “Advanced Science”.

EU Research Council funds project by TU Professor Heinz Koeppl with 150,000 euros

TU Professor Heinz Koeppl (Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) receives a “Proof of Concept” grant of 150,000 euros from the European Research Council (ERC) for the second time. The new grant will fund his project “PLATE – Biophysical Genetic Design Automation Technology”, which deals with algorithms for the computer-aided design of genetic circuits in synthetic biology.

The “CompuGene Student Lab” is a new student project that is part of the Centre for Synthetic Biology at TU Darmstadt. The students independently set up a research project related to synthetic biology. This includes the development of their own research idea, independent laboratory work and the acquisition of research funds. In the process, the students work together on the path from the initial idea to a publication. Results could be published or patented and presented in competitions or symposia.

Liebe Studierende, informieren Sie sich bei den virtuellen Go Out Wochen 2022 über die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten eines Auslandsaufenthaltes im Rahmen Ihres Studiums an der TU Darmstadt.

Programmable biosensors using synthetic biology: Funding as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action

The international “SYNSENSO” Doctoral Network that is coordinated by TU Darmstadt is developing a new generation of modular biosensors. The European Commission has now awarded the network a total of 2.7 million euros of funding as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action.

Activating X-rays – Signalling Cascade in T-cells

Radiation therapy is a proven approach to destroying tumours. However, it is possible that it might be able to do even more in the future – namely stimulate the immune system at the same time and so fight cancer even more intensively. The foundations for this have been laid by researchers led by TU Darmstadt. They have found that x-rays trigger a calcium signalling cascade in cells of the immune system. The results have now been published in the “Journal of General Physiology”.

Synthetic Biology – New Life Forms from the Lab?

What is synthetic biology and what can it already achieve today? This discipline has only been around for about 20 years, and yet it is impossible to imagine medicine, cosmetics or industry without its products. And can it ultimately deliver new life forms from the laboratory? The programme “IQ – Wissenschaft und Forschung” (IQ – Science and Research) of the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation presents this still young science in a report and was also a guest at the TU Darmstadt in the Centre for Synthetic Biology.

The Graduate School Life Science Engineering is holding its first retreat at Darmstädter Haus in Kleinwalsertal in March 2022. It's great to see the interdisciplinary team growing together, including PhD students, supervisors and guest speakers.

Fachdidaktik Biologie zum ersten Mal vertreten

Die internationale Frühjahrsschule der Fachsektion Didaktik der Biologie (FDdB) im VBIO findet jährlich für Doktorand*innen aus der Didaktik der Biologie statt.