Turning bacteria into bioplastic factories

Biologists find new ways to encourage the plastic-producing power of purple microbes

28-Aug-2024 - In a world overrun by petroleum-based plastics, scientists are searching for alternatives that are more sustainable, more biodegradable and far less toxic to the environment. Two new studies by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis highlight one potential source of game-changing ...

Synthetic polymers against fungal infections

A chemistry PhD student is stranded at the Leibniz-HKI and uses the time for research on Candida albicans

26-Aug-2024 - When combined with antifungal drugs, synthetic polymers are particularly effective against Candida albicans. This is what a German-Australian research team found out and also clarified the mechanism of action behind it. The international collaboration came about by chance during an unplanned ...

Efficient plastic-feeding fungi in freshwater ecosystems identified

Contrary to previous assumptions, no pre-treatment of the plastics was necessary

01-Jul-2024 - The presence of plastics in our environment is an increasing burden on nature and our health. Scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and the University of Potsdam have now identified fungi isolated from freshwater ecosystems that can efficiently ...

Researchers discover an alternative to PEG

rPEG as a new type of Poly(ethylene glycol): random chains offer multiple advantages for medical application

28-Jun-2024 - Researchers have discovered a highly promising replacement for polyethylene glycols (or PEGs), which are considered almost indispensable in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. The new substance class called rPEG offers all the advantages of PEGs, while avoiding their drawbacks and has the ...

Producing chemicals in an environmentally friendly and energy-saving way: More yield through nanopores

New membrane process increases the efficiency of enzymes - reaction rate significantly improved

22-Apr-2024 - Flow-through reactors packed with enzymes can produce certain chemicals in a gentle and careful way. However, their performance has so far been limited. A research team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon and RWTH Aachen University has now been able to increase the yield a thousandfold. Using a ...

New polymers show interaction with cells

A new development in biomedical research could open the door to a variety of new applications

05-Apr-2024 - Scientists* at the University of Bayreuth have found that certain polymers, called polyanions, can penetrate cells in a unique way without causing damage. The study, which was published in the journal "ACS Polymers Au", may help to transport active substances into cells in a more targeted ...

Feathers replace petroleum

Adhesives from feathers: The project addresses a billion-dollar market

06-Mar-2024 - 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 ...

Breakthrough in the synthesis of artificial cells

Researchers develop artificial cells from synthetic materials

06-Dec-2023 - A groundbreaking study published in “Nature Chemistry” reveals a remarkable leap in the synthesis of artificial cells using synthetic materials, achieved by an international team led by Dr. Andrea Belluati, Prof. Nico Bruns (both TU Darmstadt) and Dr. Sètuhn Jimaja (University of Fribourg). These ...

Repellant and Hostile to Bacteria

Zwitterionic polymeric sulfur ylides: antifouling coating with a synergistic effect

13-Sep-2023 - Bacteria that gather into biofilms on the surfaces of implants, catheters, breathing tubes, and other medical components are a serious health hazard. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, a research team from the Netherlands has now introduced a new material based on poly(sulfur ylides) that—when ...

Programmable DNA hydrogels for advanced cell culture and personalized medicine

21-Aug-2023 - The team of Dr. Elisha Krieg at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden has developed a dynamic DNA-crosslinked matrix (DyNAtrix) by combining classical synthetic polymers with programmable DNA crosslinkers. DNA’s highly specific and predictable binding gives researchers unparalleled ...