Research projects in NanoBioMed

• Subject classification: Medicine
• Project management: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Boehm (Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology)
• Funding period: 2014-2026
• Speaker University: LMU München

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels represent a diverse protein family with salient roles as versatile cellular sensors and effectors. TRP proteins control an exceptionally broad spectrum of homeostatic physiological functions, illustrated by more than 20 hereditary human diseases caused by mutations in 11 Trp genes. Most TRP channel-related human disorders impinge on development, metabolism and other homeostatic functions. However, a detailed understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is missing. There is accumulating evidence to link TRP channels to even more human diseases beyond TRP channelopathies, and accordingly, TRP proteins have been identified as appealing therapeutic targets.

The research of the CRC will help overcome a merely genetic classification of TRP channels by means of physiologically relevant functional criteria, thus leading to a functional re-definition of what is presently called the “TRP channel family”. Such fundamental insight will furthermore open up new avenues for specific, tailored treatment options for patients suffering from diseases inflicted by dysfunctional TRP proteins.

Homepage of CRC/TRR 152

• Research Unit
• Subject classification: Thermal engineering / Process engineering
• Speaker: Prof. Dr. Christian Wagner (Experimentalphysik)
• Funding period: seit 2019

The way blood flows through the vessels plays a major role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as thrombosis and arteriosclerosis. However, the physical principles of blood flow are poorly understood. Blood is more heterogeneous than water is and is driven by a pump, the heart, it pulsates. Previous experiments on flow behavior, however, have generally been based on water moving uniformly. An interdisciplinary team from physics, engineering and medicine from several universities want to close this knowledge gap. Together, they are working on this goal in the newly established Research Unit "Instabilities, Bifurcations and Migration in Pulsating Flow".

Homepage of the Research Unit

• Emmy Noether Independent Junior Research Group
• Subject classification: Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
• Project leader: Hilke Bahmann (Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie)
• Funding period: 2019-2024

Computer-aided simulation of single molecules, also called molecular modeling, is used in basic research and increasingly also in industry to find new materials, develop more efficient catalysts or improve medical agents. Often microscopic effects at the subatomic level are crucial for macroscopic properties, so a reliable and accurate description of the electron structure is an important prerequisite for the studies mentioned above. Electron structure can be calculated by various quantum chemical methods, with density functional theory being the most popular. Two currently important limitations of the available density functionals are constant, system-dependent parameters and an insufficient description of strong correlation effects between electrons.

To improve the predictive power of density functional theory for model systems of heterogeneous catalysis and hybrid materials, this project will develop several methods that adapt to the local electron structure and incorporate additional physical quantities to explicitly describe strong correlation. A second important aspect is the efficient implementation in a renowned quantum chemical program package, so that the new methods can be directly applied to chemically and physically relevant systems and are available to a broad user community.

• Collaborative project
• Project leaders: Prof. Dr. Andriy Luzhetskyy (Pharmaceutical Biotechnology) & Prof. Dr. Christoph Wittmann (Systems Biology)
• Funding period: 2020–2023

EXPLOMARE is engaged in the research and development of novel processes for the extraction of valuable natural substances.

EXPLOMARE is concerned with the research and development of novel processes for gainIn an interdisciplinary approach, a unique marine value chain is to be established. This will enable the production of novel active ingredients with customized cell factories of the genus Streptomyces. The bacteria also originate from the sea. They are therefore adapted to high salinity levels, which are presumably crucial for the effective functioning of marine natural product synthesis pathways. Natural product gene clusters from the sea are often poorly expressed in conventional terrestrial microorganisms. Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering will be used to progressively establish microbial cell factories. The establishment of biotechnological processes based on the cellular minifactories will then later use marine algae as a raw material. Seaweed is considered to be one of the most promising renewable raw materials worldwide - it can be grown directly in the sea without fertilizers, pesticides or competition with valuable arable land, where it can grow to a length of up to 70 meters due to its rapid growth and produce higher biomass yields than corn or cereals, for example.

The working groups of Christoph Wittmann (Institute for Systems Biotechnology) and Andriy Luzhetskyy (Pharmaceutical Biotechnology) at Saar University are pooling their expertise for the innovative development. Further cooperation partners in the network are the Saarland start-up company MyBiotech from Überherrn and the Center for Biotechnology at Bielefeld University.

• Collaborative project
• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Christoph Wittmann (Systems Biology)
• Funding period: 2020–2023

Extremolytes are small molecules with which microorganisms effectively protect themselves from extreme environmental factors such as heat, cold, drought or radiation. The substances are synthesized by the microbes and accumulated inside, where they form a protective film around proteins and other sensitive cell components and stabilize them. This enables the microorganisms to live in extreme environments - in Antarctica, in geysers or salt lakes. The discovery that extremolytes also stabilize proteins, membranes and tissues in humans by creating a protective layer of water around them has opened up a wealth of promising applications for these substances from nature in the fields of cosmetics and medicine. The prominent extremolyte ectoine can now be found in eye drops, inhalation sprays, nose drops and creams, among other things.

Unfortunately, most extremolytes can only be produced inadequately from nature so far, since the natural producers need extreme conditions for growth, thereby also forming only minute amounts of the desired substances and are therefore unsuitable for economic production. EXTRA therefore aims at the efficient synthesis of extremolytes in novel customized cell factories and their further development towards economic production.

To this end, the working groups of Christoph Wittmann from the Institute for Systems Biotechnology at Saar University and Rolf Müller from the Helmholtz Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences on campus are once again pooling their expertise in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Further cooperation partners in the network are the Saarland start-up company MyBiotech from Überherrn, which will research suitable processes for the purification of the expensive products, and the company bitop from Dortmund, world market leader for the production of Ectoin, which will develop subsequent manufacturing processes.

• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Christoph Becher (Quantum Optics)
• Funding period: 2021–2024

To connect quantum nodes to quantum networks, the frequencies or wavelengths of individual photons must be specifically adapted to the standard of the communication channel (quantum frequency conversion). In the HiFi project, quantum frequency converters and the underlying basic technologies are being systematically developed.

For this purpose, expertise from the fields of quantum technology, optics, laser, fiber, automation, assembly, interconnection and production technology is brought together. In addition to the AG Quantenoptik at Saarland University, five other partners are involved in the project. It is led by Menlo Systems GmbH.

Homepage of HiFi

• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Christoph Wittmann (Systems Biology)
• Funding period: 2017–2024

Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in our diet. They promote brain development, especially in newborns, improve blood circulation and protect the joints. Recent studies confirm that docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA) in particular have a health-promoting effect. Due to the low contents, conventional extraction processes based on fish oils are not suitable for obtaining n-3 DPA or ETA. In collaboration with the Saarland biotechnology company MyBiotech and the team of Rolf Müller (Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland), the project aims to develop a novel production process for rare omega-3 fatty acids such as DPA and ETA. Newly discovered biochemical synthesis pathways should enable the efficient production of these complex molecules in microorganisms. The project is working on the development of customized cell factories in the non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for the targeted synthesis of the new products, as well as on the development of fermentation processes for their production.

Homepage of Myxo4PUFA-2

• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Giovanna Morigi (Theoretical Quantum Physics)
• Funding period: 2022–2025

The project will develop quantum algorithms that benefit from noise. A conceptual framework will be developed in which quantum algorithms are understood as a self-organizing process with an interplay of noise and coherent quantum dynamics.

The project is led by Saarland University. In addition, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Qruise GmbH, and IBM Research Europe as an associated partner are also conducting research here.

Homepage of NiQ

• Project leader: Prof. Dr. Christoph Becher (Quantum Optics)
• Funding period: 2021–2025

Compared to classical computers, quantum computers can perform complex calculations much more efficiently. Thanks to this speed advantage, problems can become computable that are considered unsolvable with classical computers. For practical applications, however, systems are needed that can work with a significantly larger number of quantum bits (qubits) than previously possible.

In QPIC-1, a novel platform for a quantum computer will be developed using single light particles (photons) as qubits. This requires both novel sources to generate quantum light and integrated photonic circuits in which the information processing takes place. The work and developments in QPIC-1 are intended to make quantum computers practical for real applications.

The project is coordinated by the Technical University of Munich. In addition to Saarland University, six other partners are working in the joint project.

Homepage of QPIC-1

• Project leaders: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Eschner (Quantum Photonics) & Prof. Dr. Christoph Becher (Quantum Optics)
• Funding period: 2021–2023

In QSync, quantum technology will be used to demonstrate a long-range communication platform with synchronized quantum nodes. Here, two systems (single ions and color centers in diamond) are coupled in a laid fiber optic network and corresponding optical interfaces for signal transmission are explored.

The project results enable the stable coupling of different communication nodes in the existing fiber optic network. This brings the practical application of secure communication based on quantum physics principles within reach.

Homepage of QSync

• Project leaders: Prof. Dr. Christoph Becher (Quantum Optics) & Prof. Dr. Jürgen Eschner (Quantum Photonics)
• Funding period: 2021–2024

Quantum communication makes a decisive contribution to the secure transmission of data. Over long distances, however, current quantum communication is reaching its limits. Quantum repeaters are needed to overcome these limits. Novel quantum repeaters will be implemented in QR.X and tested under real conditions. The project makes an essential contribution to the development of quantum communication infrastructures for the tap-proof transmission of data. A total of 25 institutions from Germany are working together on this project, including universities, research institutes and companies.

The project is coordinated by Saarland University (Christoph Becher).

Homepage of QR.X

• Project leader at Saarland University Hospital (UKS): Prof. Dr. Michael Zemlin (General Pediatrics and Neonatology)
• Project leader at Saarland University (UdS): Prof. Dr. Daniel J. Strauss (Systemic Neuroscience and Neurotechnology)
• Funding period:  2021–2023

The aim of the "VI-Screen" consortium is to develop a monitoring system that can diagnose infectious respiratory diseases in children, adolescents, and adults using non-contact measurement methods via optical and acoustic sensors. The project is funded under the BMBF's “Civil Security” funding line. The project aims to create the technical conditions to prevent the entry of potentially pandemic pathogens into clinics and other public buildings.

For this purpose, measuring stations will be set up in two clinics of the UKS (General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Internal Medicine V) to collect data and sample material from patients with classic symptoms of respiratory diseases and to test to what extent a clear mapping of the non-contact measurement data to the results of laboratory diagnostic procedures is possible.

The collaborative partners (UdS, UKS and Technische Universität Berlin) will develop the sensor platforms and data processing, collect and analyse biosamples, and scientifically address data protection and ethical aspects of data collection, processing, and storage.

• Project leader: Christoph Becher (Quantum Optics)
• Funding period: 2023–2026

The aim of the project "Miniaturized entangled photon source in the telecom sector based on AlGaAs Bragg reflection waveguides (VOMBAT)" is to develop a source for entangled photon pairs in which the required pump source and the generation of the entangled photon pairs are integrated in one chip. For the generation of photons with frequencies corresponding to low-loss telecommunication, a photon pair source based on the material system AlGaAs will be designed and fabricated. For the distribution of the photon pairs to the different receivers or frequencies, it is investigated how this can be done as compactly as possible in an integrated photonic circuit in which the chip-integrated photon pair source is embedded. The technological requirements for later commercial exploitation are also being investigated. The overall system will be tested in an existing fiber optic link.

The project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications. In addition to Saarland University, two other partners are working on the joint project.

Homepage of VOMBAT

• Funding body: Volkswagen Stiftung
• Participants:
  • Prof. Sigrun Smola (Institute for Virology)
  • Prof. Jörn Walter (Genetics and Epigenetics)
  • Prof. Rolf Müller (Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS))
•  Funding period: 2023–2026

Reactivation of a latent viral infection poses a significant risk to immunocompromised patients in transplantation medicine. BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a poorly understood virus that causes nephropathy or hemorrhagic cystitis in a significant number of renal or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Currently, there is no vaccine and drugs are urgently needed for preventive treatment to prevent organ damage. This interdisciplinary project addresses the major challenges that have hindered drug development against BKPyV. The project team synergistically combines specific expertise in small DNA virus immunology and cell biology, cutting-edge genomics, and translational drug discovery to identify drug candidates from unique compound libraries that disrupt key viral processes. The team has developed a novel BKPyV replication assay for drug screening and will use complex human 3D culture models for preclinical validation, such as BKPyV-infected organoids of the proximal renal tubules, organotypic 3D cultures with integrated immune cells, and organ-on-a-chip models. To gain molecular insights into the evolution of drug resistance and develop counterstrategies, researchers will use innovative BKPyV-specific next-generation sequencing technologies to monitor viral genetic adaptation and evolution in the host. With these combined approaches, the team hopes to advance both a straightforward translational approach to drug repurposing in transplant patients and the development of entirely new classes of drugs against BKPyV.