Projects
Selection of research projects
DiGraSo: bilateral cross-border Interreg Saxony – Czech Republic project (D/CZ): "Causes of the decline in grassland diversity in protected areas of the Czech-Saxon border region" (2024-2027). In our sub-project, we deal with microbial diversity in the soil, especially with rare meadow fungi. We measure soil respiration and methane oxidation at selected sites.
FinalCut: Variability in wood decomposition and biodiversity in deadwood logs in the BELongDead experiment after 17 years (2026-2029). For several years, together with partners, we have been studying deadwood decomposition of 13 tree species in the Hainich, the Schorfheide, and the Swabian Alb. In particular, we investigate the composition of fungal communities, their enzymatic activity (lignocellulose degradation), and the physicochemical changes in the wood.
SUSBIND (Start: 1st May 2018, Duration: 4 years) is a European project in the field of bioeconomy, research and innovation that brings together 11 Partners from 6 EU countries from research and industry. The partners from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Portugal consist of big industry and small and medium-sized (SMEs) companies, university and other research centers. The SUSBIND consortium develops, produces and tests bio-based binders as an alternative to formaldehyde binders currently used for wood-based panel boards in furniture mass products. The goal of the project is to substitute fossil-based chemicals with those from renewable resources. Surplus feedstock sourced from existing European biorefineries will be used for the production of binders and intermediates. SUSBIND aims at producing and validating these bio-based binders with leading wood board manufacturers for two product types: P2 particle board and medium density fibreboard.
The SUSBIND project covers the full value chain from feedstock through to pilot production and validation by relevant research, industry and SME partners. Driven by the mass consumption needs, it includes leading furniture manufacturers and retailers.
Fungal peroxidases in soils (FuPerS): functional and taxonomic diversity and enzymatic activities under different land use regimes in the German Biodiversity Exploratories, in collaboration with the UfZ Leipzig-Halle (Dr. Dirk Krüger), funded by the DFG (HO 1961 / 4-1)
www.biodiversity-exploratories.de
Elimination of organic trace substances in constructed wetlands with sequential recirculation, (2014-2016), (funded by DBU AZ 32028) Details
AquaNisa - Development of land use concepts for the sustainable improvement of water quality and erosion control in the transboundary catchment area of the Neisse, (2012-2014, funded by the EU, Objective3)
Details
Project development for utilization of alternative energy resources in the region of Battambang; Lead partner: GUB AG, Chemnitz; other partners: COMPED, Phnom Penh & Battambang; University of Battambang (2010-2012), (funded by the BMF-PPP)
Investigation of the enzymatic oxidation of refractory substances in wastewater (2009-2012), (ESF - junior research group, funding no. 080935557)
Novel peroxygenases for the production of fine and industrial chemicals (2008-2010, DBU funding priority ChemBioTec)
Investigations into the development of white leafiness: advanced ion and element analyses, humic substance analysis and the search for microbial toxins in peat substrates (2008-2009, German Society for Peat and Peat Science (DGMT))
Novel extracellular enzymes from litter-decomposing fungi (in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Science) (2008-2009, DAAD)
Biomonitoring with honey bees and mosses in the area of Frankfurt am Main Airport, under the direction of Goethe University Frankfurt, Department of Biosciences, Institute of Apiculture, and Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology (2006-2016, funded by Fraport AG, Ffm)
Concept for wastewater treatment and implementation of a pilot plant in the City of
Battambang, in cooperation with Cambodian Education and Waste
Management Organization, Phnom Penh; Czech Technical University Prague, Faculty
of Civil Engineering; Mittweida University of Applied Sciences; Cambodian Building Organization, Battambang; Scholze & Partner, Freital; GUB AG, Chemnitz (2006-2010, funded by the EU, Asia Pro Eco2)
Fungal secretomes for efficient lignin digestion (2006-2007, DBU)
Contribution of Fungi to the Degradation of Humic Substances (in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Science) (2006-2007, DAAD)