Research Focus of the Faculty of Chemistry and Biotechnology
Our faculty provides an excellent environment for innovative and application-oriented research in biotechnology and chemistry. Our research projects and working groups cover a wide range of topics, such as sustainable research on plastics and biomaterials, process engineering biorefinery technologies, the further development of viral-supporting gene therapeutics, technical applications of enzymes and research on renewable energies.
The research groups work closely with industry and research institutes to ensure an interdisciplinary and sustainable exchange.
In the next section you can find out more about the various working groups and research topics at the Jülich Campus.
Chemistry
FH Aachen | A. Gottschalk, N. Hojdis
In cooperation with the Institute for Applied Polymer Chemistry (IAP), the Applied Polymer Sciences working group produces customised solutions for technical applications. They synthesise, modify and characterise plastics. Sustainable chemistry improves the sustainability of polymer products by taking an interdisciplinary approach to the entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. The effects on humans and the environment are taken into account - even after the end of the use phase in terms of biodegradability or recyclability.
The Ecological Chemistry working group deals with the investigation and analysis of pollutants in the environment, their behaviour in the ecosphere/biosphere and the development of investigation methods. Further topics are food and consumer goods as well as the further development of biogas technology.
The Polymer Physics working group conducts research in the field of polymer physics and rubber technology. Focal points are the development, modification and characterisation of fillers as well as the investigation of rubber abrasion.
Biotechnology
FH Aachen | Thomas Schnitzler
The bioprocess engineering group develops and optimises process engineering biorefinery technologies and bioprocesses to pre-treat plant residues and biowaste and convert them into sustainable industrial products using enzymes or microorganisms. The products are biodegradable and usable in a circular economy.
Optimisation of human cell lines is the focus of the Viral Gene Therapy working group. The research focuses on the production of viruses relevant to gene therapy, using modern methods such as CRISPR/Cas9 and lentiviral screening. These are to be used in the therapy of various diseases. Our faculty is also working on the development of therapeutic DNA-based vaccines against cancer. In contrast to RNA vaccines, these are very stable and do not necessarily require a continuous cold chain - this makes it possible to use them in developing countries, for example.
In cooperation with the Institute for Nano- and Biotechnologies (INB), the Industrial Microbiology and Biocatalysis group researches enzymes and develops them for biocatalytic and other technical applications. The focus is on proteases (used e.g. in detergents) and aminoacylases (special industrial applications).