Current news

Biomineralization mechanism revealed

How do living organisms produce minerals – for example, for their shells? Researchers from the University of Konstanz and Leibniz University Hannover have come a step closer to answering this question. In a joint study, they have deciphered the formation mechanism of amorphous calcium carbonate, an intermediate in biomineralization.

Read more

 

 

Porträt of Malte Drescher

Elected President of RPTU

Malte Drescher, a physicist and vice rector at the University of Konstanz, will become president of the recently founded University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) starting in October of 2024.

Der Fachbereich Chemie trauert um Prof. Dr. Helmut Cölfen ( †28.11.2023)

Ein Nachruf für Helmut Cölfen geschrieben von Stefan Mecking

Helmut Cölfen sadly passed away on November 28, 2023, after long illness, at the age of only 58 years. This is a terrible loss not only for his family, but also for his students, colleagues, and friends.

His scientific findings have entirely changed our view of crystallization processes, this fundamental understanding readily translating into many practical applications.

Helmut Cölfen was born on July 24, 1965 in Krefeld. He grew up…

How can life emerge in a world of minerals?

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded an ERC Synergy Grant of 9,996,000 Euros to the project “The role of silica at the dawn of life on our planet” (PROTOS). In the project, Helmut Cölfen, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Konstanz, will collaborate with researchers from the University of Bremen, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS-Geo-Ocean) in Brest, and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC ) in Granada that coordinates the project.

Self-healing plastic becomes biodegradable

Konstanz chemists develop mineral plastics with numerous positive properties from sustainable basic building blocks and, together with biologists, demonstrate the material's excellent microbiological degradability.

Hidden RNA repair mechanism discovered in humans

Konstanz researchers discover the function of a previously unexplored protein: In three characteristic steps, "C12orf29" links the ends of RNA strands. Proteins that perform this kind of RNA ligation were previously unknown in humans. The results of the study suggest that it is important for RNA repair during cellular stress.

Two-dimensional nanoparticles with great potential

A German-Chinese research team with participants from the University of Konstanz has discovered how catalysts and many other nanoplatelets can be produced in an environmentally friendly way from readily available materials and in sufficient quantities.

Strong and biodegradable

A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable: Stefan Mecking, chemist at the University of Konstanz, and his research group present a new material.

Prototype funding for two Konstanz projects

Chemical building blocks from plastic waste; Reducing the risk of falls using virtual orientation aids: Konstanz chemists Manuel Häußler and Lukas Odenwald as well as sport scientist Lorenz Assländer receive Baden-Württemberg prototype funding for their transfer projects "Waste2DCA" and "Augmented Balance".