Simmental cows usually have pure white fur on their heads. The animals with brown fur around the eyes are better protected from UV rays and cancer. Geneticists in the research cluster Synbreed have decoded the hereditary pattern of the dark circles around the eyes.

The 1000 Genomes Project has presented its genetic map of the world. To do this, the participating researchers deciphered the genetic makeup of 1,092 individuals, with two German sequencing laboratories making a significant contribution.

It currently takes about five to eight years to develop a biotechnological process. In the collaborative project ‘AutoBio’, companies and academic researchers are working towards more fully automated developmental sub-steps to save time and costs.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted by bats. A joint research project is now examining how the virus is able to jump the species barrier from animals to humans.

Researchers at the University of Gießen and the Freiburg company greenovation are developing a therapy for Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious reaction to lung injuries. The required protein-based drugs are manufactured with the assistance of a moss.

Cancer needs oxygen in order to spread. A sensor chip currently under development by scientists at the TU Munich is designed to monitor oxygen concentrations in the vicinity of tumours, and warn ­doctors if a cancer becomes active.

Die Münchener Apceth GmbH hat sich auf die Entwicklung von stammzellbasierten Therapien spezialisiert, die bei der Behandlung der arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit zum Einsatz kommen.

Biogas of natural gas quality: At the University of Hohenheim, researchers are simulating the conditions of the deep sea to produce pure and inexpensive biogas.

Some drugs work effectively, but can damage the heart. At the University of Saarland, a group of molecular cell biologists headed by Peter Lipp has developed an optical approach to drug testing. Another original aspect to their work is that instead of using animal experiments, the scientists at CordiLux work with adult myocardial cell cultures.

The children of mothers who have been exposed to domestic violence during pregnancy exhibit a higher genetic predisposition to behavioural problems and mental disorders. This is one conclusion of a BMBF-funded project from scientists in Constance.