News

International Team publishes results in “Nature Chemistry“

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 cells, crafted through a process called biocatalytic polymerization-induced self-assembly (bioPISA), represent a significant advancement in the field of synthetic biology.

Join us in shaping the future at the intersection of life sciences and engineering.

The structured Graduate School Life Science Engineering at TU Darmstadt is seeking 15 excellent international PhD students to join the EU MSCA-COFUND program trainLSE. We invite highly motivated and talented candidates to become a part of our vibrant research community.

“Friday Science Bites” podcast covers a wide range of topics

From AI to pharmaceuticals and chromosomes to laser technology: the “Friday Science Bites” podcast by three TU doctoral students offers young scientists a platform to present their research. We introduce the team in an interview.

Research by AG Nuber paves the way for a better understanding of midbrain development and innovative tissue models

Professor Ulrike Nuber's research group at the Department of Biology has published an article on human organiser cells entitled “Enrichment of FGF8-expressing cells from neurally induced human pluripotent stem cell cultures” in Stem Cell Reports.

Researchers at TU Darmstadt present two new publications

Depression, obesity or chronic pain – all of these disorders can be triggered or promoted by stress. In two recent publications in renowned scientific journals, researchers at TU Darmstadt show new ways of treating stress-related diseases.

TU Graduate School Life Science Engineering receives EU funding

The PhD student Jorge from the Graduate School Life Science Engineering tells about his experiences from his research stay abroad

The first ryon Summer School of the Rhine-Main Universities

The first ryon summer school will bring together scientists with the aim to generate business ideas in the domain of synthetic biology. The number of seats is limited to 50 persons.

Bridging the gap between academic research, industrial infrastructure and venture capital

On 27-28 June, the 4th SynBio World Cafe took place in Darmstadt, Germany, organised by the German Association for Synthetic Biology – GASB e.V. with support from SPRIND – Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen and the Centre for Synthetic Biology at TU Darmstadt. Bridging the gap between academic research, industrial infrastructure and venture capital, the SynBio World Cafe brings together individuals from all over the Synthetic Biology landscape.

The first summer party of the Graduate Schoo LSE was accompangied by the GreenTech Accelerator ryon

Start in winter semester 2023/24 / Online application possible until 15.7.

The aim of synthetic biology is to construct new biomolecular systems with innovative properties. The English-language Master's program in Synthetic Biology teaches students about various methods and approaches in synthetic biology that enable biological systems to be equipped with novel molecular functionalities. What exactly awaits the students, what job opportunities do the graduates have? Prof. Torsten Waldminghaus from the Department of Biology gives answers about the new degree program.

“Together We Grow”

The 4th annual SynBio World Café is hosted on 27.6-28.6.2023 at the Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg-Haus in Darmstadt by the German Society for Synthetic Biology (GASB) in cooperation with the Centre for Synthetic Biology at TU Darmstadt and SPRIN-D. Bridging the gap between academic research, industrial infrastructure and venture capital, the SBWC brings together carefully selected individuals from all over the Synthetic Biology landscape. The participants will discuss the current state and the necessary next steps to harness the field’s untapped potential.

Primary school project week with Centre for Synthetic Biology and Learning Lab Biology

An inspiring week full of STEM discoveries in the project week of the Schule an den Linden is behind us! The Centre for Synthetic Biology and the Learning Lab Biology of Merck School Promotion joined forces to offer young students an extraordinary project week.

Second annual retreat of the Graduate School in Kleinwalsertal

The Centre Thesis Awards were presented during the International Synthetic Biology Workshop on 20 – 22 March 2023 at the Centre for Synthetic Biology in Darmstadt.

First Dissertation Award for Synthetic Biology

Dr. Christoph Diehl from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg is the first winner of the Dissertation Award for Synthetic Biology. The award was presented during the International Synthetic Biology Workshop on 20 – 22 March 2023 at the Centre for Synthetic Biology in Darmstadt.

The Sense-Compute-Response Paradigm

The Centre for Synthetic Biology is hosting a workshop entitled “The Sense-Compute-Response Paradigm” in Darmstadt, Germany, March 20-22, 2023. We have assembled an excellent list of speakers who will present groundbreaking developments in synthetic biology.

On August 30, 2022, the Thesis Awards of the Centre for Synthetic Biology were presented for the first time in person. The botanical garden of the TU Darmstadt offered the ideal venue for this event in best weather. Professor Heinz Koeppl presented the thesis award endowed with 1500 € to Dr. Jan Bogen.

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.

FLOW FOR LIFE organizes the first public Minisymposium (Hybrid event) on June 15, 2022 from18:00-20:00 pm. Invited Speakers are Catherine Picart, CEA Grenoble „Bioactive Medical Devices for Bone Regeneration“ and Cláudio Franco, Universidade de Lisboa „How to build an efficient network of vessels“.

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.

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”.

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.

Update meeting no.1 a success

On 17 March, the first update meeting of the TUcanSense team took place to inform about the current status of the SensUs project. Besides the team and some interested lecturers, representatives of the sponsors were also present.

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.