Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME

The core competencies of the Fraunhofer IME are structured in two divisions, "Molecular Biotechnology" and "Applied Ecology", on four locations. In Aachen and Münster, we establish demand-optimized plants, animal cells and microorganisms for various industrial applications. At the institute branch "Bioresources" in Giessen, which belongs to the "Molecular Biotechnology" division, a worldwide unique center for the exploitation of bioresources is being established. The division "Applied Ecology" in Schmallenberg concerns iteself with risk evalutation of synthetic and biogenic substances for both environment and consumers. 

Unlocking the secrets of flowering in Taraxacum koksaghyz!

A recent study by Känel et al. explores the molecular mechanisms of flowering in the rubber-producing plant T. koksaghyz. The investigation revealed three FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homologs (TkFT1–3) that show different expression patterns under various environmental conditions.
Key findings:
❀ TkFT1 drives vernalization-independent flowering
❀ TkFT3, uniquely induced during cold exposure, is crucial for vernalization-dependent flowering
❀ Overexpression of TkFT1–3 can bypass the vernalization requirement, offering insights for future breeding strategies. 

At the invitation of the MIT-Kreisverband Giessen, a lecture event with around 80 invited guests took place on Friday, August 29, at the Bioresources branch of the Institute in Giessen. The focus was on industrial insect farming in Giessen and the surrounding regio. Under the direction of Prof. Andreas Vilcinskas, participants from politics, research, and industry gained comprehensive insights into the latest developments in insect research at Fraunhofer IME. 

Advancing 3R-compliant aquatic toxicity testing

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a project with the Fraunhofer IME to investigate whether an enhanced Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) test could replace certain long-term fish toxicity studies.

In June, Fressnapf will be launching dog and cat food containing proteins based on silkworm pupae for the first time in Europe. The manufacturer of these proteins is the start-up Prombyx from Giessen.

For over 20 years – ever since Prof. Dr. Bruno Moerschbacher from the University of Münster invited Fraunhofer IME to partner in his first European research project, CARAPAX – Fraunhofer IME in Aachen and later also in Gießen has been actively involved in research and development related to the biopolymers chitin and chitosan.
With Prof. Moerschbacher's retirement at the end of this month, a circle is closing: his outstanding scientific expertise will strengthen the focus on biopolymers research at Fraunhofer IME's Münster location.

In the study, Dr. Christian Schulze Gronover and team investigated the role of geranylgeranyl reductase 1 in latex and its interaction with the rubber particle protein SRPP3 in Russian dandelion. Changing the enzyme concentration affected tocopherol production in the roots, but not rubber synthesis.
They also discovered that geranylgeranyl reductase 1 is present in plastid-like structures in the latex and is bound in a multiprotein complex that could help plant cells with oxidative stress.

Shaping history, feeding the future

This year’s theme acknowledges the potato’s deep historical and cultural significance and its evolving role in today's global agrifood systems. It also acknowledges the opportunities and challenges that exist across the potato's value chain for our nutrition today and in the future.
The potato is one of our focus plants at Fraunhofer IME for many years. Together with our R&D partners, we are conducting various projects along the value chain.  These projects range from developing modern breeding tools and boosting photosynthesis to increase yield to detecting pathogens and increasing resistance to pests, as well as pest control and the effective use of sidestreams.