The Innovation prize is being awarded annually for excellent ideas in the areas of life sciences and biotechnology. In the frame of the German Biotechnology Days 2018, Dr. Felix Jakob, Prof. Ulrich Schwaneberg und Prof. Andrij Pich received the prize which is endowed with 2.000 € and sponsored by the journal BIOSpektrum. The Jury stated that the development of microgel containers for controlled release of nutrients and protective agents has the potential to solve important problems in agriculture.

Integrative research approaches promoting the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) – this is the objective of the two new "FocusLabs" which will be funded for three years from 2018 onwards. These FocusLabs are part of the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC), NRW’s scientific centre of excellence for sustainable bioeconomy.

The 2nd International BioSC Symposium attracted around 160 people interested in the topic “Towards an Integrated Bioeconomy”. The high potential and different opportunities of the bioeconomy were highlighted in the vividly presented keynote of Prof. Lene Lange of the Technical University of Denmark. The integrated character and scientific developments of the bioeconomy were shown in presentations of the interdisciplinary research concepts of the BioSC FocusLabs and in the following sessions reflecting socioeconomic perspectives, strategies for plant production and resource management and green value chains.

At this year’s internal retreat more than 130 BioSC members met in the Maternushaus in Cologne to learn about latest developments. While BioSC projects were presented in the morning, the afternoon presentations included as well talks about externally funded projects and information about funding programmes in the framework of bioeconomy.

On 10 November the BioSC was presented at the yearly RWTH Aachen Science Night. The lecture given by Prof. Björn Usadel as well as the exhibition stand had many visitors.

Connect with other young scientists and learn more about alternative career opportunities in the bioeconomy! We invite all interested doctoral students to attend the 2nd state-wide PhD-Day "Future Bioeconomy"

Present your PhD work in a poster and win an award for the best poster!