Technology Offerings

Epigenetic modifications at the 5-position of cytosine in DNA provide important clues for diseases such as neurological disorders and a range of cancers. Scientists at the University of Constance have now developed a method which allows the direct detection, i.e. without prior chemical modification of the DNA sample, of the epigenetic modification status in the 5-position of cytosine (such as 5mC and 5hmC) in any user-defined sequence. It is a simple and reliable method with high resolution and can be combined with a multitude of detection methods. Detection both in vivo and in vitro is possible.

At the University of Konstanz a novel method with very high selectivity has been developed, which allows the inclusion of amino acids with nucleic acid-intercalating properties into proteins and peptides. Protein- and peptide-based active pharmaceutical components often contain structures that act as intercalators. The technology uses standard protein expression methods and only requires the presence of the ncAA in the medium and the co-expression of the respective aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases as well as the tRNA. The invention has substantial potential for the development of new applications and products, in particular in the pharmaceutical and biotech fields.

Digital beam forming systems simultaneously improve resolution and dynamic range. Usually the dynamic range of a system suffers, when there is only a limited number of senders and receivers. The present invention offers a process to increase the dynamic range of multi-sender multi-receiver systems which have only a small number of elements in the group. The system provides increased dynamic response even with a small number of antennae. The number of elements in a group of senders and receivers can be reduced, which in turn lowers the hardware costs.

All signal components (both the carrier signals and the frequency-modulated signal components) can be evaluated. Therefore ambiguities can be resolved. Using the frequency-modulated signal components, it is no longer necessary to compromise between the explicit angular range and the resolution.

The novel MEDUSA technology for turbocharging combustion engines fits the current trend to downsize engines perfectly. The optimal inflow into the turbine, particularly at low speeds of revolution, makes the engine very responsive, with maximum torque developing in the lower range of rotatory speed. Additionally the exhaust tract that forms part of the invention is extremely robust, in particular at high combustion temperatures. Thus the technology is particularly suited for use in small gasoline engines: the efficiency is greater than for wastegate turbochargers; however, unlike the Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbocharger, this charger does not require adjustable guide vanes.

To understand biological functions at a molecular level it is important to know how proteins moving around. Todays optical equipment cannot resolve and track single molecules with high resolution in living cells. Our scientists developed a method for long-term detecting single molecules in living cells based on carbon nanotubes.