BOSMAN

© IfBM HH-Pape/Michaelis

In the oceans a great variety of organisms exist which have developed a multitude of different strategies for adaptation and survival. The sedentary nature of many marine organisms has led them to produce a diversity of natural chemical compounds, synthesized for their defense. Resent research has revealed that some of these secondary metabolites possess a potential for pharmacological usage. Within the BMBF priority program “Marine Natural Products Research”, the multidisciplinary project BOSMAN – BOreal Sponges-Sources of MArine Natural Products - has undertaken the task of examining newly discovered compounds produced by marine porifera in boreal habitates. (Supported by the BMBF) more to: BOSMAN

Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

Cyanobacteria are able to synthesize a couple of metabolites of toxicological concern. One of these cyanotoxins is cylindrospermopsin (CYN), a hepatotoxic alkaloid. Beside of the liver, heart, kidney, spleen, thymus and intestine are also affected. The first documented incidence of human intoxication occurred on Palm Island (Australia) in 1979, where children and adults suffered from hepatoenteritis. Cylindrospermopsin also occurred in German lakes. more to: Cyanobacteria

Iron Bacteria / Astrobiology

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

The mutual relationship of the evolution of planets and life is subject of the research alliance 'Planetary Evolution and Life'. Under the administration of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and funded by the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF) the alliance connects different fields of research to investigate the possibility of life on other celestial bodies. The Environmental Microbiology Group takes part in the alliance within the topic 'Physics and Biology of Interfacial Water'. more to: Iron Bacteria / Astrobiology

Iron Bacteria / Well Clogging

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

The project WellMa is a cooperation project with different partners out of research and industry. Aim of the project is to explore the processes and influencing variables of well clogging. Especially geological and hydrochemical, as well as the structural and operational conditions are of interest. more to: Iron Bacteria / Well Clogging

Iron Bacteria / Odertal

Nationalpark Unteres Odertal

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

Floodplains belong to the most diverse and species rich ecosystems in the world. They play an essential role in the processing and decomposition of organic matter and in the self-purification ability of rivers, largely due to the activity of bacteria. (Supported by the BMBF) more to: Iron Bacteria / Odertal

Extracellular DNA in bacterial biofilms

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

Recent scientific publications show that extracellular DNA (eDNA) is more important in bacterial biofilms than previously thought. It has been shown that eDNA, as a structural component of the EPS (extracellular polymeric substances), makes an important contribution to the stability of bacterial biofilms and that experimental removal of the eDNA leads to altered biofilm morphologies. In recent years several bacterial strains in which EPS filaments from extracellular DNA could be detected have been isolated in the field of environmental microbiology. more to: Extracellular DNA in bacterial biofilms

Genetics

© UMB TU Berlin

Moleculare characterising of microorganisms, bacterial conjugation and design of specific Real Time PCR assays ... more to: Genetics

Mycology

© FG Umweltmikrobiologie

Taxonomy and phylogenetics of aquatic hyphomycetes Ecology of aquatic hyphomycetes more to: Mycology

Gradient Organisms in Surface Water

Gradient organisms require determined concentration gradients for life that can not be offered by classic culture methods in lab. Therefore, enrichment of these organisms is difficult and limits further investigations of their properties and their role in cycles of matter. more to: Gradient Organisms in Surface Water

Interurban

Molecular characterization of soil microorganisms from urban habitats: Role of biofilm-producing bacteria in urban soils until April 2007 (DFG Interdisciplinary Research Group FOR 409 INTERURBAN, www.interurban.de) more to: Interurban

Reclaim

Development of Real-Time PCR assays for the quantification of antibiotic resistance genes and selected pathogens at different stages of water purification and reclaim processes (EU Project RECLAIM, www.reclaim-water.org) more to: Reclaim