Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEOur Research
Biomolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, secondary metabolites, and nucleic acids form the foundation of key biological processes, including energy production, cell growth, movement, signal transmission, and immune defense. A precise understanding of these biomolecules and their interactions helps to unlock new applications in fields such as pharmacology, diagnostics, plant protection, and nutrition through the use of modern biotechnological methods.
A long-standing focus of our research is the development of innovative on-site detection methods that allow specific, sensitive, and reliable detection of biomolecules, for example, those associated with pathogens, disease markers, or contaminations. Together with our research partners, we have implemented the »magnetic immunodetection« (MID) approach in a user-friendly, portable device format, enabling the detection of various analyte classes directly at the desired point of use.
To produce or study complex proteins and other biomolecules without using whole cells, we employ highly productive and efficient cell-free screening systems. Our expertise in developing and optimizing tailored cell-free systems enables the rapid and cost-effective characterization of new biomolecule candidates, which are increasingly generated in large numbers with the support of AI.
Our extensive range of optical, physical, and chromatographic methods, combined with long-standing expertise in bioanalytics, enables us to investigate biomolecular structures, their functions, and interactions in a targeted manner. For their specific questions, we offer our customers and partners tailored analytical solutions and validation methods—for example, in product development—that can be optimized and scaled across departments within the production process.