Cleverly connected

Interdisciplinary approaches often solve problems faster and more efficiently. And they open up countless new perspectives and opportunities. An interesting application of this is the engineering-based Center for Synthetic Biology founded by the Technische Universität (TU) Darmstadt in Hessen.

© Sandra Junker / TU Darmstadt
© © Sandra Junker / TU Darmstadt

The technological aspects and engineering focus underpinning this center give it a strong international advantage.

Research at the TU Darmstadt includes methods for generating genetic logic circuits using computer modeling. Ion conducting nanopores that open up new applications in biosensor technology are also under development. The research groups have received grants amounting to several million euros from the Hessen funding program for scientific excellence known as LOEWE. The new Center for Synthetic Biology brings together researchers from biology, chemistry and electrical and information technology, materials science and physics, mechanical engineering and social sciences.

The President of the TU Darmstadt, Professor Tanja Brühl, has set herself the goal of leading the university into the future as an autonomous and simultaneously highly networked institution. “The Center for Synthetic Biology is an example of how the TU Darmstadt forges new pathways in research in areas with exceptional future potential. Our centers and profile areas form the pillars of the interdisciplinary research at our university,” said Brühl.

As well as interdisciplinary research, the center also aims to support young researchers and take on doctoral students as part of the recently established Life Science Engineering graduate school, which teaches in English.

Cleverly connected all the way: We look forward to innovative solutions from Darmstadt to address a range of future challenges that we may face.