Technology Offerings

The test procedure demonstrates the efficacy of substances and/or methods which eliminate infectivity using several quantitative measurement parameters (HBsAg, HBeAg, mRNA, cccDNA) for the detection of HBV infection after a titer reduction by more than 4 log 10 steps and is, thus, the first HBV infectivity test to meet the new guidelines of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the German Association for the Control of Virus Diseases (DVV) for the efficacy of disinfectants and virus-inactivating procedures.

Simultaneous insights into the micro dynamics and nano functionality of biological samples can be facilitated via correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM). Scientists from Goethe University Frankfurt am Main developed novel software CLEM. It allows for the automated and efficient correlation of light- and electron-microscopic images from any two light and electron microscopes of choice with a precision of up to 25 nm.

Microalgae store chemical energy as lipids. They include a large number of high-quality, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for human nutrition and health.

Researchers from Goethe University in Frankfurt developed a method to increase the concentration of lipids in microalgae significantly by genetical manipulation of the enzyme TAG lipase.

Legionella are aerobic bacteria which appear naturally in all surface water and groundwater. From there, despite water treatment, and through raw water they can reach the drinking water systems and other water transporting installations. The invention LegiGuard is a fully automated minilab for the qualitative and quantitative determination of legionella in water pipes for e.g. drinking water. The device is able to take a defined volume of water from the water stream and to determine the existing amount of legionella. For this purpose, fluorescently labeled immunobeads are used, allowing easy detection of presence of legionella. The result is directly and electronically communicated to the user, after 1.5 – 2 hours.

Beta lactones are synthetically produced small molecules that tremendously reduce the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. They act by inhibiting the caseinolytic protease P (ClpP), a key regulator of multiple virulence factors. Thereby the production of detrimental bacterial toxins (i.e. hemolysins, toxic shock syndrome toxin, enterotoxins) is prevented resulting in disarming the bacteria during infection. Bacterial killing and clearance can therefore be achieved through the action of the immune system.
Importantly, the concept of antivirulence prevents both the biggest challenges in antibiotic treatment today: resistance development and side effects. This also allows for longer treatment periods.

A newly developed method for water treatment makes it possible to reduce costs of investment as well as energy consumption of conventional seawater desalination plants. The method comprises an innovative, environment-friendly und energy efficient solution, which is suitable for desalination as well as for process water treatment from oil or gas industry, mining, electroplating, food industry and Zero Liquid Discharge – ZLD.