News and Events

17-02-2025 (Room 2‘049, CSMB (IRIS) Building, Zum Großen Windkanal 2, Adlershof)

In his talk 'Diamond Nanophotonics and Electronics' Mario Agio took us into the world of diamonds, which have emerged as a promising platform for quantum science and technology in virtue of the unique properties of its color centers. The efficient interrogation of such centers optically and electrically remains a fundamental aspect towards quantum applications. He discussed this group's recent work on the silicon and nitrogen vacancy color centers, where both nano-optics and electronics are taken into play. Specifically, he focused on ultrafast single-photon emission, electroluminescence, nanoscale temperature sensing and vector magnetometry.

14-02-2025 (Humboldt-Kabinettl, Campus Adlershof)

The time has finally come! Today was our IZ LIST Day! We had a few presentations about exciting projects that we want to tackle in the future, provided we receive the funding. Additionally, we took plenty of time for exchange, idea creation and future planning…

Hemp waste is a byproduct of hemp cultivation, but presents a potential resource for insect-based bioconversion, offering a sustainable approach to waste management and protein production. However, the nutritional profile of hemp waste may not be optimal for insect growth, and the presence of bioactive compounds like cannabinoids can pose challenges. Solid-state fermentation (SSF), utilizing fungi, offers a promising strategy to enhance the nutritional value of such substrates. The Urban Plant Ecophysiology Group (Christian Ulrichs) investigated the impact of SSF with various fungal species on hemp waste, examining its effects on black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) growth and the fate of hemp cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. If you want to know more about how different fungal species can tailor the properties of hemp waste, improving its suitability as a BSFL feed and potentially modulating the levels of valuable or undesirable compounds, check out their Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Article!

Understanding how crop varieties perform across different environments and management practices is essential for improving agricultural productivity and resilience. Multi-environmental trials (METs) provide valuable data for dissecting these complex genotype-environment-management (GxExM) interactions. The Intensive Food Plant Systems Group (Tsu-Wei Chen) generated a comprehensive MET dataset for winter wheat in Germany, spanning six years, six locations, and nine different management scenarios. This rich dataset, encompassing over half a million data points and 24 traits – including yield, agronomic characteristics, baking quality, and disease indices – offers a powerful resource for addressing key agronomic questions, informing breeding strategies, and developing decision support tools for sustainable agriculture. Find out more about their discoveries in their Scientific Data Article!

Rapid urbanization often comes at the cost of diminished green spaces and weakened ecosystem services, creating a potential conflict between ecological health and socio-economic development. Finding a balance between these competing priorities is crucial for sustainable urban growth. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) established a novel framework for quantifying this urban-ecological trade-off, using a return-on-investment perspective that links degraded ecological conditions with urban land use efficiency.Focusing on the rapidly expanding city of Zhengzhou, China, they assess four key ecological conditions – urban heat island effect, flood regulation, habitat quality, and carbon sequestration – alongside land use efficiency at a fine spatial scale. By analyzing these factors over two decades, they explored the dynamics of the urban-ecological trade-off to the key drivers influencing it and ultimately proposing adaptive management strategies to guide sustainable urban planning. Check out their Remote Sensing Article!

Working memory (WM) is a fundamental cognitive function, and while genetic studies have identified numerous associated variations, the role of gene expression in WM remains largely unexplored. The Molecular Psychology Group (Sebastian Markett) developed a novel approach to investigate the genetic basis of WM by integrating connectome, transcriptome, and genome data. Using a high-quality dataset of 481 Chinese adults, they identified WM-related brain regions, then determined differentially expressed genes within those regions using the Allen Human Brain Atlas. These findings could subsequently be validated in two independent, large-scale datasets. If you want to know more about this powerful method check out their Human Brain MappingArticle!

Visual working memory is the cognitive system that allows us to temporarily hold and manipulate visual information in mind. Verbal storage is the component of working memory that holds and manipulates information in a phonological (sound-based) form, such as words or numbers. Typically the two elements are studied as separate cognitive functions. However, the act of naming visual stimuli may influence performance on visual working memory tasks, with some research suggesting benefits and other research indicating potential biases.The Distributed Cognition and Memory Group (Thomas Christophel) investigated the verbal labels people naturally associate with simple visual-spatial stimuli and how these labels relate to recall accuracy in a subsequent working memory task. Focusing on orientation and location stimuli, their research investigates the diversity of labels used and their impact on known biases in visual working memory, such as the cardinal direction bias, the phenomenon where people tend to remember orientations or locations closer to cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) more accurately than those in between. If you want to know more about the potential shared cognitive resources underlying both visual-spatial and verbal memory, check out their Journal of Cognition Article!

Integrate-and-fire models are simplified mathematical representations of neurons that describe how they accumulate electrical charge (integrate) and fire an action potential (spike) when that charge reaches a threshold. They are widely used to simulate neuronal activity, from single cells to complex networks. Accurate parameter estimation is crucial for interpreting electrophysiological data within these model frameworks. However, a standardized approach for this estimation is lacking. The Theory of Complex Systems and Neurophysics Group (Benjamin Lindner) was able to identify the parameters of an adaptive integrate-and-fire neuron model with temporally correlated noise, using data from current-step experiments and could demonstrate that reliable parameter extraction is possible with a limited number of trials. Find out more in their Biological Cybernetics Article!

Aging is a natural and inevitable process of change that occurs throughout life. It involves a gradual decline in physical and cognitive function, whereby the rate and extent of these changes vary significantly from person to person. Innovation in Aging is an open-access scientific journal published by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), which publishes innovative research, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the aging process and the development of effective interventions to improve the quality of life for older adults. Like last year, the Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) has contributed several publications to this year's journal. You should definitely check out their Articles on various fascinating topics. You find the Innovation in Aging Volume here.

The recent Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry awarded to pioneers in Computational Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence highlight the significance of this field. Notably, seminal work by John Hopfield, including his influential research on neural networks published in Biological Cybernetics, played a crucial role in these advancements. While this recognition underscores the importance of the field, it's crucial to maintain momentum and continue pushing the boundaries of research in this area. Benjamin Lindner took part in writing a Biological Cybernetics Editorial that highlights journal's contribution to the field of Computational Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence and the challenges the community is facing.

Most (mobile) organisms are familiar with the challenge of pursuit-evasion; we ourselves encounter it at the young age in form of tag games such as Cops and robbers. In mathematics and computer science pursuit-evasion describes a class of problems where one group actively seeks to locate and capture members of another group within a defined environment. Benjamin Lindner and Davide Bernardi investigated mathematical models that describe the pursuit of a randomly moving object in one or two dimensions. If you want to learn more about (ii) analytically calculating the mean capture time, a crucial metric, (i) exploring how factors such as the target's diffusion coefficient and the number of pursuers influence the capture time, (iii) strategies that can optimize the pursuit process and (iv) potential generalizations and extensions of these models to enhance your understanding of pursuit dynamics in more complex scenarios, check out their Target Search Problems Chapter!

Vibrio cholerae is a species of bacteria that causes cholera by producing a toxin that disrupts the intestinal lining, leading to severe diarrhea, dehydration, and potentially death if left untreated. The Molecular Microbiology Group (Marc Erhardt) investigated the role of the RNA chaperone ProQ in post-transcriptional gene regulation within Vibrio cholerae. Employing RIL-Seq, they identified a vast network of ProQ-assisted RNA interactions, revealing a crucial role for the FlaX sRNA in regulating bacterial motility, which contributes decisively to the pathogenicity of the bacterium. If you want to obtain a comprehensive view of ProQ-mediated RNA regulation and its impact on bacterial virulence in V. cholerae, check out their Nucleic Acids ResearchArticle!

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past fifty years, transforming from a nascent phenomenon into a powerful analytical technique with diverse applications. Together with a remarkable number of experts in this field Janina Kneipp traced the historical trajectory of SERS, from its initial discovery and early challenges to its current renaissance driven by advancements in nanoscience and plasmonics. They analyzed key phases in SERS development, highlighting the critical role of innovative methodologies in overcoming limitations and expanding the technique's versatility. By examining the journeys of SERS and its related techniques, such as TERS and SHINERS, they aim to extract valuable lessons for future scientific endeavors, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, perseverance in the face of challenges, and a proactive embrace of emerging technologies. If you want a comprehensive overview about this technique Check out their Review in Chemical Society Reviews! 

Urban resilience is crucial for cities facing escalating global challenges, including climate change and geopolitical conflicts. While structural resilience focuses on pre-planned measures, emergent resilience emphasizes spontaneous responses that arise during crises. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) explored the concept of emergent urban resilience in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. By examining how Ukrainian cities have responded to the Russian invasion, they aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the nature of emergent resilience in acute crisis situations and its significance for urban planning and recovery efforts. If you want to know more about the evolving discourse on urban resilience check out their Ekonomichna ta Sotsialna Geografiya Article! 

Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) is a technique to observe and measure the interactions between proteins within living cells and a valuable tool for biomedical research. The Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (Christoph Arenz) established a novel BRET system for identifying inhibitors of the lipid transfer protein CERT. By fusing Nanoluciferase to CERT and utilizing Nile red-labeled ceramide, they created a sensitive assay to monitor CERT activity in living cells. Using this innovative approach they were able to screen a combinatorial library of HPA-12 derivatives and identify six compounds with improved inhibitory activity compared to the parent compound. If you want to find out more about this valuable tool, check out their Angewandte Chemie International Edition Article!

Accurately understanding and interpreting the emotions of others is crucial for navigating social interactions and building meaningful relationships. While the importance of Emotion Recognition Accuracy (ERA) is widely acknowledged, its direct link to well-being remains poorly understood. The Social and Organizational Psychology Group (Ursula Hess) investigated  the relationship between ERA and well-being across multiple cultures. The focus was on the Assessment of Contextualized Emotions (ACE), a test that distinguishes between accurately perceiving intended emotions and perceiving additional, "secondary" emotions that may introduce bias. If you want to find out how loneliness as well as the the level of personal and social well-being effect the accuracy of  emotion recognition, check out their Journal of Research in Personality Article!

Cannabis is a plant with a rich history and diverse application, and has experienced a surge in economic importance in recent years. As the global demand for cannabis-derived products continues to grow, there is a pressing need to optimize cultivation techniques to enhance both yield and quality. One promising approach to achieving this goal is to modulate the plant's physiological responses through the strategic application of light, particularly ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The Urban Plant Ecophysiology Group (Christian Ulrichs) investigated the impact of different UV spectra and intensities on the growth, development, and secondary metabolite profile of cannabis plants in order to identify optimal conditions for maximizing terpene production while maintaining high yields and cannabinoid content. I bet you've gotten a little curious now too! So check out their Frontiers in Plant Science Article!

A stroke is a medical condition caused by a poor blood flow to a portion of the brain. Whereas most people are familiar with the common symptoms which include problems to understand or speak, dizziness, inability to move or feel on one side of the body as well as unilateral loss of vision, a lesser known symptom is a significant impact on the emotional well-being, leading to difficulties in regulating emotions. While acting with awareness, a key component of mindfulness, has been shown to improve emotion regulation in healthy individuals, its role in stroke recovery remains unclear. The Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) investigated if and how daily levels of acting with awareness affect emotion regulation after a stroke and the suitability of refined mindfulness-based interventions to support emotional recovery in stroke survivors. Check out their Social Science & Medicine Article!

11-12-2024 (Maud-Menten-Saal, Campus Nord)

In his talk ‘Using Ion channel-based optogenetics to study membrane transport and remote controlling plant action and development’ Rainer Hedrich introduced us to the world of plant ion channels, which he has brought about and shaped immensely with his research. Recently, he integrated the fascinating methodology of optogenetics into this field, resulting in numerous interesting findings.

Most of us still vividly remember the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on all of our lives. The disruption to daily life has led to difficulties, particularly for older adults, in maintaining healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity and a balanced diet. As social support from close others has been shown to play a vital role in promoting healthy aging, the Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) investigated the impact of variations in daily emotional and instrumental support on the dietary (fruit and vegetable consumption) and physical activity (step counts) behaviours of older adults during the pandemic. Check out their Canadian Journal on Aging Article!

The Flynn effect, which documents a historical rise in cognitive test scores, has primarily focused on younger populations. The Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) investigated whether this trend extends to middle-aged adults (45-65 years) and how it varies across nations. By examining data from 16 countries, they assessed age-related changes in episodic memory performance across birth cohorts and found significant cross-national variation in the Flynn effect for middle-aged adults, with some countries showing improvements in episodic memory performance over time, while others, notably the United States, show declines. Find out more in their Psychology and Aging Article - maybe your country is represented as well!

Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity. Effective forest management and conservation are essential for ensuring their resilience in the face of increasing disturbances. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) investigated the impact of different management and protection practices on two key indicators of forest dynamics: forest extent and canopy density. By analyzing changes in these indicators across Europe between 2012 and 2018, they aimed to understand how protected areas and various management regimes influence forest health and resilience. If you want to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of current forest management and conservation efforts check out their Ecological Indicators Article!

The horse is a cornerstone of human civilization and centuries of selective breeding, have shaped their genetic makeup. As breeding was particularly focused on stallions, the male-specific portion of the Y chromosome (MSY) is extremely uniform in modern horse breeds. Due to this fact, it is possible to trace the paternal lineage of modern horse breeds back over the last 1,500 years by analyzing the Y chromosome. The Breeding Biology and Molecular Genetics Group (Gudrun Brockmann) investigated key breeding influences and historical routes that have shaped today's equine world, thereby uncovering the intense linebreeding as well as the extensive impact of Arabian, English Thoroughbred, and Coldblood ancestry. Check out their Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Article!

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is a molecule essential for life, as it plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, carrying the genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, the cell's protein-making machinery. The precise localization of RNA within cells is essential for cellular function, especially in neurons. This localization allows for the targeted regulation of protein synthesis at specific sites, influencing processes like neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. SLAM-seq is a powerful approach for measuring RNA stability. As this methods provides a global view of RNA dynamics, compartment-specific differences are often overlooked. In their mRNA Decay Chapter 'Concurrent Profiling of Localized Transcriptome and RNA Dynamics in Neurons by Spatial SLAMseq'  Marina Chekulaeva and Sayaka Dantsuji describe their advanced version spacial SLAMseq which combines traditional SLAMseq with subcellular compartment separation techniques. A must-read for all RNA and/or neuro-enthusiasts!

Human mimicry, the unconscious imitation of others' behaviors, plays a crucial role in social interaction and emotional communication. In their Chapter 'Emotional Mimicry' in Automatic Imitation, Ursula Hess and Agneta Fischer delve into the fascinating world of emotional mimicry, focusing on the imitation of nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, vocalizations, and body postures. It provides the perfect chance to explore the distinction between mimicry and other forms of behavioral matching, trace the historical roots of mimicry research and examine theoretical perspectives that explain this phenomenon. You should definitely check it out!

NBD-Cl is a fluorescent labeling reagent widely used to track biomolecules such as lipids and proteins or to monitor enzyme activities. However, the potential impact of NBD labeling on cellular metabolism remains a concern. The Optical Nanospectroscopy Group (Janina Kneipp) and the Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (Christoph Arenz) investigated the molecular changes induced by NBD-Cl and NBD-ceramide (NBDCER) in the endolysosomal compartments of 3T3 fibroblast cells and J774 macrophage cells to identify specific molecular alterations and understand their implications for cellular function. Find out more about the 'hidden' contributions of the NBD group in their The Journal of Physical Chemistry C Article!

The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, has emerged as a promising sustainable protein source, driving increased interest in its nutrition and growth. However, inconsistencies in experimental protocols have hindered direct comparisons between studies. To address this issue, a standardized protocol has been developed to evaluate the performance of mealworm larvae under various feeding conditions. This protocol provides a framework for researchers to conduct reliable and comparable experiments, facilitating the advancement of mealworm research. The Urban Plant Ecophysiology Group (Christian Ulrichs) participated in an international ring test that assessed the efficacy of the standardized protocol by evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the experimental outcomes. Check out their Journal of Insects as Food and Feed Article!

Mastitis is a common disease in dairy cattle that is often caused by infections of the udder with microorganisms and significantly impacts milk production and quality. While genetic factors have been implicated in mastitis susceptibility, the specific genetic markers associated with different pathogens remain elusive. Previous studies have identified several ​Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with somatic cell count (SCC), a common indicator of mastitis. The Breeding Biology and Molecular Genetics Group (Gudrun Brockmann) investigated the association between these previously identified SNPs and the presence of three major mastitis pathogens: Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), and Streptococcus uberis. If you are curious how to use specific SNPs to predict pathogen presence or pathogen resistance, check out their Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Article!

NBD-Cl is a fluorescent labeling reagent widely used to track biomolecules such as lipids and proteins or to monitor enzyme activities. However, the potential impact of NBD labeling on cellular metabolism remains a concern. The Optical Nanospectroscopy Group (Janina Kneipp) and the Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (Christoph Arenz) investigated the molecular changes induced by NBD-Cl and NBD-ceramide (NBDCER) in the endolysosomal compartments of 3T3 fibroblast cells and J774 macrophage cells to identify specific molecular alterations and understand their implications for cellular function. Find out more about the 'hidden' contributions of the NBD group in their The Journal of Physical Chemistry C Article!

Model-based recursive partitioning has emerged as a powerful technique for identifying subgroups of individuals with distinct patterns of relationships between variables. While traditional approaches have focused on structural equation models (SEMs) for cross-sectional data, recent advancements have extended this methodology to dynamic SEMs for longitudinal data. The Psychological Research Methods Group (Manuel Völkle) has developed a novel approach called score-based CT-SEM trees, which enables the analysis of data with irregular sampling plans. Find out more in their Chapter 'Score-Guided Recursive Partitioning of Continuous-Time Structural Equation Models' in Dependent Data in Social Sciences Research.

The conversion and storage of solar (and other form of renewable) energy is a topic that has occupied us for a long time and is only becoming more important with global climate change. Plasmonic catalysis is a method of converting light energy into chemical energy through heterogeneous catalytic reactions induced by plasmons. Together with Zhiyang Zhang, Janina Kneipp delves into the exciting world of plasmon-assisted reactions, focusing on the role of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in unraveling their underlying mechanisms. SERS, as a powerful spectroscopic technique, allows for the in-situ observation of molecular interactions at the nanoscale, providing invaluable insights into the key steps of plasmon-catalyzed reactions as well as their potential for application. Check out their Chapter 'Monitoring Plasmon-Assisted Catalysis by SERS' in Surface- and Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy!

Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) is a powerful technique for analyzing the nonlinear dynamics of time series data. However, traditional RQA is limited to univariate time series. To address this limitation, Multidimensional RQA has been developed to analyze the joint dynamics of multivariate time series. The Social and Organizational Psychology Group (Ursula Hess) and the Psychological Assessment Group (Matthias Ziegler) developed a novel extension of Multidimensional RQA, called Lagged Multidimensional RQA, which allows for the investigation of relationships between different variables within a multivariate time series. Find out more about the utilization of Lagged Multidimensional RQA in analyzing joint action research data, specifically focusing on the shared dynamics between facial expressions and heart rate in their Psychological MethodsArticle!

Most of us have experienced it at least once in life - a devastating breakup. Romantic breakups can have significant emotional and psychological consequences. While research has consistently shown that men tend to suffer more from these separations than women, the underlying reasons for these gender differences remain unclear. The Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) investigated the gender-specific responses to romantic breakups, focusing on factors such as initiation of separation, well-being, loneliness, and desire for a new partner. If you are curious about how gender and age affect one's ability to survive a breakup unscathed, check out their Psychology and Aging Article!

A robust understanding of human development necessitates a strong theoretical foundation. Denis Gerstorf contributed to this special issue of Psychology and Aging, which brings together four key contributions that advance theoretical perspectives within the psychological science of adult development and aging. By exploring the interplay of age-related change, stability, and individual variation across generations and sociocultural contexts, these articles help to deepen our understanding of the multifaceted processes that shape the human lifespan. 

Parenthood is often considered a defining life experience, yet an increasing number of adults choose to remain childless. While research has extensively examined the well-being of parents, relatively little attention has been given to understanding the factors that contribute to the well-being of childless adults. The Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) investigated how life goals, particularly the desire to have children, influence the well-being trajectories of adults with and without children. By tracking the long-term well-being of individuals from young adulthood to midlife and examining how life goals shape the well-being of both parents and childless adults, they aimed to gain a more nuanced understanding of the diverse pathways to well-being in contemporary society. Whether you have children or not, you should definitely take a look at their Psychology and Aging Article! 

26-09/27-09-2024

We finally went on our first Retreat! Our destination was Halle - a vastly underrated city that is definitely worth a visit! It was a balanced mixture of networking, scientific exchange, future planning and simply fun! Take a look at our report to find out what happened on at the retreat!

Spin-orbit interaction plays a crucial role in the behavior of electrons in condensed matter systems. Igor Sokolov investigated the dynamics of spin polarization in a two-dimensional system of spin-1/2 charged particles subject to a perpendicular magnetic field and external noise. If you are curious as well, check out his Physical Review E Article.

Most of us use them in our interactions with other individuals - some more, some less - emotional expressions! Emotion Recognition Accuracy (ERA) is a complex cognitive process influenced by both pattern matching and perspective-taking. The Assessment of Contextualized Emotions (ACE) test is a valuable tool for studying ERA which considers not only the social context and multiple emotions, it simultaneously distinguishes between accuracy (perceiving the intended emotions) and inaccuracy (perceiving additional emotions to those expressed). Using an  fMRI-compatible adaptation of ACE the Social and Organizational Psychology Group (Ursula Hess) investigated whether emotion processing is associated with distinct brain activations for single versus group-embedded facial expressions as well as the behavioral relevance of regional changes in activation in the fMRI-compatible ACE task. Find out more about the importance of cognitive bias in the assessment of social emotion perception in their Social Neuroscience Article!

Multivariate decoding techniques are widely used to study the neural basis of working memory. Encoding models offer a promising approach to understanding the tuning properties underlying these neural representations by explicitly modeling the similarity relationships between different stimuli. The Distributed Cognition and Memory Group (Thomas Christophel) set out to evaluate the effectiveness of encoding models for quantifying mnemonic representations using both simulated and real data and found that a reliable identification of the true model requires comparing the variance of two or more competing models. If you want to learn more about this process check out their Journal of Vision Article!

13-09-2024 (Maud-Menten-Saal, Campus Nord)

In her talk ‘Collective behaviour of nematodes’ Serena Ding talked about how C. elegans has recently emerged as a model for several striking collective behaviours such as aggregation, wurmuration, and towering. Combining the powerful experimental accessibility of this major lab model organism with the knowledge that collective phenomena are widespread and highly relevant for many nematode species, they use quantitative behavior and behavioral ecology approaches to unravel the mechanism and the function of multiple collective behaviours in ecologically relevant nematode groups.

Aphids are a significant pest of sweet pepper plants, causing damage by feeding on amino acids in the leaves. As magnesium (Mg2+) plays a crucial role in the transport of amino acids from leaves to fruits the Intensive Food Plant Systems Group (Tsu-Wei Chen) investigated whether the application of Mg2+ could reduce aphid colonization by decreasing the availability of amino acids in leaves by promoting their transfer to fruits. If you are curious whether magnesium is the key to improving the nutritional environment for the plant while simultaneously reducing the attractiveness of the leaves to aphids, check out their Scientia Horticulturae Article!

09-09 - 13-09-2024 (Biophysics building, Invalidenstr. 42)

The 'Single Molecule Biophysics Course' was a five-day training program designed to eduacte its participants in Single Molecule Theory, Single Channel Recording and Single Molecule Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) Microscopy. It comprised the relevant theoretical background as well as practical sessions to provide a holistic training schedule.

Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) proteins play crucial roles in drug transport across cell membranes. In Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, the MFS protein PfMFSDT has been identified as a potential drug transporter. However, its functional relevance in drug resistance remains unclear. By expressing PfMFSDT in C. glabrata - a well-established model organism for studying fungal drug resistance - and analyzing its localization and drug resistance profiles, the Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (Christoph Arenz) has provided important additional information on the role of PfMFSDT in conferring resistance to P. falciparum. Check out their Future Microbiology Article!

Confirmation bias - the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs - is a well-documented cognitive bias. While it can lead to irrational decision-making, it has also been shown to improve decision-making under uncertainty. However, the impact of confirmation bias on social decision-making remains relatively unexplored. In order to investigate how confirmation bias influences collective decision-making in a social context the Collective Information Processing Group (Pawel Romanczuk) developed a computational model, which allows to conduct agent-based simulations to explore the effects of resource scarcity, group size, and bias strength on group performance. Find out more in their PLOS Computational Biology Article!

Subdiffusive motion, characterized by slower-than-normal diffusion, is a common phenomenon in various physical systems. In this Physical Review E Review Igor Sokolov and Eugene Postnikov provide an overview about the underlying mechanisms governing subdiffusive motion in constrained environments improving the understanding of how geometric factors influence the dynamics of particles exhibiting anomalous diffusion.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous components of membranes in mammalian cells. The most abundant sphingolipid is sphingomyelin the breakdown of which has been associated with the pathogenesis of numerous viral and bacterial pathogens and sphingomyelinases (SMases) have been linked to many widespread diseases such as depression or cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Since lipids cannot be easily fluorescently labelled as is the case with proteins, their visualization in the cell is rather difficult and as a result their contribution to the infection process is only poorly understood. To overcome this obstacle, the Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry Group (Christoph Arenz) has developed novel trifunctional sphingomyelin derivatives that make it possible to visualize both the distribution and the metabolic activity of sphingomyelin in cells. Find out more about this fantastic innovation in their Nature Communications Article!

Group hunting is a widespread strategy among various animal species, offering potential benefits such as increased hunting success and reduced individual risk. Understanding the complex interactions between predators and prey is crucial for comprehending the evolution of cooperation and social behavior. Prey movement plays a pivotal role in predator-prey dynamics. Prey often respond to predation threats by either fleeing or standing their ground, significantly influencing the costs and benefits of predator and prey strategies. The Collective Information Processing Group (Pawel Romanczuk) investigated how prey behavior affects predator strategies of striped marlin, Kajikia audax and the overall dynamics of their predator-prey interactions. Check out their Functional Ecology Article!

Green infrastructure (GI) plays a crucial role in enhancing urban resilience and sustainability. However, traditional GI planning often overlooks the spatial distribution of residents, leading to potential conflicts between spatial equity and equitable green exposure. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) established a novel accessibility equity approach for prioritizing GI development in Zhengzhou, China, which considers various socioecological factors and population density and aims to identify areas that require greater focus on GI implementation to ensure equitable access to green spaces and associated benefits. Check out their interesting Sustainable Cities and Society Article!

We encounter plants every day (hopefully at least). But have you ever looked at what plants can do at the molecular level? Unlike us, plants have different types of plastids, such as chloroplasts, which use light energy to produce O₂ from CO₂ and thus provide us with a basis for life on this planet. Plastid biogenesis and the coordination between plastid and nuclear genomes are complex processes and critical for plant development. The protein GENOMES UNCOUPLED1 (GUN1) plays a pivotal role in retrograde signaling, a process that communicates the status of plastid function to the nucleus. Despite extensive research, the molecular function of GUN1 has long remained elusive. However, investigating the function of GUN1 the Molecular Genetics Group (Christian Schmitz-Linneweber) found that the protein is involved in RNA binding and maturation, resolving long-standing controversies about its molecular function. Find out more in their Plant Communications Article!

Although city people are less exposed to nature than rural inhabitants, there are numerous points of contact with wildlife in cities. In addition to parks and urban forests, plants and animals that have managed to settle in the city can be found in ordinary streets. Encounters with city animals in particular often leave quite an impression. Who does not remember an unexpected meeting with a fox in the city center, after which one was amazed at how unfazed this creature moves in the midst of crowds of people, cars and skyscrapers? Or the cute little hedgehog that disappeared under the hedge! But I'm sure we all remember the fat rat or racoon that almost gave us a heart attack while taking out the garbage in the evening. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) investigated how the residents of various German cities perceive their encounters with distinct wild mammals in residential areas by conducting and analyzing an online survey. Check out their interesting Ecology and Society Article!

Lipid droplets (LDs) are essential organelles involved in lipid storage and metabolism. In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, LDs play a crucial role in the parasite's life cycle. Despite their importance, the specific functions of LDs in P. falciparum remain relatively unexplored. The Molecular Parasitology Group (Kai Matuschewski) investigated the role of LDs in the malaria parasite's lipid metabolism by analyzing their size, composition, and dynamics throughout the parasite's life cycle. You can read more about their valuable insights into the parasite's lipid acquisition and utilization strategies and the potential of LDs as targets for new anti-malarial drugs in their Journal of Cell Science Article!

Climate change poses significant threats to human health and well-being. Understanding individual vulnerability to climate hazards is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies. The Developmental and Educational Psychology Group (Denis Gerstorf) established a new intraindividual variability construct, called affective sensitivity to air pollution (ASAP), which measures how an individual's emotional state fluctuates in response to daily changes in air quality. Check out  in their PLOS ONE Article to find out more about ASAP and how it can help to incorporate mental health and emotional well-being into climate adaptation strategies to enhance resilience and overall human welfare.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful technique used to enhance the Raman signal of molecules adsorbed on a metal surface. While traditional SERS focuses on one-photon excited spontaneous Raman scattering, recent advancements have explored nonlinear Raman processes. These processes, driven by high local fields generated by localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), offer unique advantages for studying plasmon-molecule interactions and characterizing nanomaterials. In their ACS Nano Perspective, Janina Kneipp and Katrin Kneipp provide researchers can gain a deeper understanding of plasmon-molecule interactions and explore new applications in materials research, catalysis, and nanobiophotonics.

Plants are able to rapidly adapt to changing environmental conditions. One fundamental adjustment is the expression of chloroplast genes. The essential splicing factor Maturase K has been anticipated to play a generally important role in cholorplast gene regulation, but its importance has so far made it rather difficult to study its function and targets in detail. Together, the Plant Cell and Molecular Biology Group (Kerstin Kaufmann) and the Molecular Genetics Group (Christian Schmitz-Linneweber) investigated which transcripts Maturase K preferably targets and how this translates to a differential expression of functional chloroplast gene groups. Check out their The Plant Journal Article! 

It is well known, that our gut microbiome has a great influence on our physical and mental wellbeing. Intestinal bacteria help us to break down our food, provide us with vitamins and metabolites and support our immune system. Therefore, a healthy diet and probiotics are powerful tools to modulate our general health. Also chickens are known to benefit from being fed probiotic bacteria, which is assumed to be mainly caused by modulation of the immune system. The Breeding Biology and Molecular Genetics Group (Gudrun Brockmann) investigated how these bacteria interact with  the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of chickens by whole transcriptome profiling and cytokine array analysis. Check out their Frontiers in ImmunologyArticle!

As cities grow and also rural areas are to a large extend characterized by agriculture and infrastructure natural habitats for wildlife are becoming increasingly scarce. Oganisms that are able to adapt to urban conditions however can profit from the these can benefit from the diverse supply of food and shelters attracting more wildlife to the cities. This coexistence can lead to conflicts. In order to better understand which animals have a high potential for conflict and how these conflicts can best be resolved, the Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) interviewed experts and summarized their findings in their People and Nature Article! You should definitely check it out!

Developmental psychology investigates human growth and changes across the lifespan. This comprises the physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality and emotional development. The developmental cascade model describes how the speed to process information increases with age (especially in our early years), which boosts the working memory, which in turn improves fluid intelligence. While these factors naturally vary from person to person also a intra-subject variability exists. The Psychological Research Methods Group (Manuel Völkle) investigated the role of intra-subject variability within the pathways that constitute the developmental cascade model. Check out their Intelligence Article!

10-07-2024 (Seminarraum 1'306 - Schrödinger Center, Campus Adlershof)

In his talk 'Cerebral Cortex Connectomics' Moritz Helmstaedter spoke about the mapping of neuronal connectivity, which is one of the main challenges in neuroscience. Only with the knowledge of wiring diagrams is it possible to understand the computational capacities of neuronal networks, both in the sensory periphery, and especially in the mammalian cerebral cortex. The methods of the Department of Connectomics for dense circuit mapping are based on 3-dimensional electron microscopy (EM) imaging of tissue, which allows imaging nerve tissue at nanometer-scale resolution across substantial volumes, extending to more than one millimeter on the side, followed by AI-based image analysis to obtain dense connectivity maps, or connectomes. With these they have mapped local circuitry in mouse and human cortex, determining learning-related synaptic traces, inhibitory axonal development, and discovering an expanded interneuron-to-interneuron network in the human cortex. Most recently they completed the connectomic reconstruction of a cortical column. They are currently screening cortical connectomes across age, disease states and experience to obtain a deeper understanding of their relevance for individual behavioral performance and brain pathology.

While some predators compete with each other for prey, others benefit from the other, intentionally or unintentionally. Seabirds, for example, profit immensely from the presence of subsurface predators and therefore often share a habitat. However, the principle behind this phenomenon is poorly understood. The Collective Information Processing Group (Pawel Romanczuk) performed spatio-temporal analysis of drone footage to unravel the hunting behaviour of Indo-Pacific sailfish and terns and made some interesting discoveries. Find out more in their Biology Letters Aritcle!

We live in a world in which resources are becoming increasingly scarce while the waste we produce has taken on immense dimensions. For this reason, sustainability is a necessary key issue in various areas of business, science and politics. The circular bioeconomy concept is a new economic model that emphasizes the use of renewable and natural ressources and the minimization of waste production, and thus attempts to meet the sustainability challenges and social demands of our society in equal measure. One important aspect is the promotion of biological production cycles, which involve the introduction products or wastes from one production system to another, thereby optimizing the yield of the resources used. The Urban Plant Ecophysiology Group (Christian Ulrichs) investigated which food source resulted in the highest biomass gain of the fish species Nile tilapia to optimize resource utilization. Check our their Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems Article!

The GreenCityLabHuế project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of Huế, Vietnam, through nature-based solutions (NBS) for heat adaptation and air quality improvement. The project will create a multidisciplinary research space to develop and test NBS, focusing on green-blue infrastructure (GBI) and generate knowledge for stakeholders and decision-makers on NBS, resulting in a city-wide vision for sustainable urban development. In their Land-use change and nature-based solutions impact assessment the Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) assesses the potential impacts of GBI interventions on ecosystem service supply and demand in Huế and estimate the benefits of GBI for air quality regulation and green space availability.

Not so long ago, beavers were threatened with extinction in Germany. The good news is that the German beaver population has grown considerably and is no longer considered an endangered species. The bad news is that we humans don't like it at all when someone else drastically and effectively changes the environment, especially if it is to our disadvantage. The Landscape Ecology Group (Dagmar Haase) has studied the competition in detail and analyzed where conflicts of interest arise between humans and beavers and discussed approaches that would enable a mutually acceptable coexistence. Have a look at their People and Nature Article!

Messenger RNA (mRNA) are molecules in cells that carry the genetic information from the DNA in the nucleus to specific cytes in the cytoplasm where their protein synthesis takes place. To this day it is not entirely clear how mRNA localization is regulated. One widely accepted mechanism is the regulation via localization sequences within the mRNA interacting RNA-binding proteins, however only few examples have been identified so far. In her nature cell biology Review, Marina Chekulaevasummarizes the existing knowledge from the literature to convey a holistic understanding of this fundamental process and potential underlying mechanisms.

Stochastic integrate-and-fire (IF) models are fundamental tools for understanding neuronal dynamics. A key challenge is relating the spontaneous fluctuations of these models to their responses to external stimuli. While recent work has established a fluctuation-response relation (FRR) for IF models, incorporating realistic features like a refractory period and finite spike shape significantly complicates the analysis. If you are curious how the Theory of Complex Systems and Neurophysics Group(Benjamin Lindner) addressed this challenge, and what open questions remain for future research, check out their Biological Cybernetics Article!