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At the Faculty of Life Sciences, we carry out research across several research groups and centres – ranging from hygiene and microbiology, through soil science and environmental sciences, to the research focus on ‘Sustainable Food Systems’. Here you’ll find an overview of our research areas. If you’re interested in a particular topic, please feel free to contact the relevant colleagues listed.
Hygiene and Microbiology
The ‘Hygiene and Microbiology’ working group, led by Prof. Dr Dirk Bockmühl (S2 safety-level laboratories, part of the COMBAT consortium) conducts research into hygiene in non-clinical settings – ranging from the antimicrobial efficacy of products and household appliances, through to antibiotic resistance in the home, and the ‘Certified Hygiene’ scheme. Find out more about the working group, the team and their publications
Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
The ‘Soil Science and Plant Nutrition’ research group, led by Prof. Dr Florian Wichern, is investigating how crop production systems can be strengthened – particularly in the face of increasing abiotic stress. The focus is on nutrient use, resilience and the ecosystem services provided by the system.
Environmental Sciences
The ‘Environmental Technology’ research group, led by Prof. Dr Matthias Kleinke, conducts research in the fields of the environment and agriculture – ranging from organic material cycles (BIVAC) and sandbar cropping in Bangladesh to the effects of flooding on the River Issel.
Sustainable food systems
From working conditions in agriculture and the recycling of waste materials to innovative production systems such as ‘edible forests’ or food produced by 3D printers: the scope of the HSRW’s research priority (FSP) ‘Sustainable Food Systems’ is wide-ranging. The FSP brings together and strategically develops the ongoing research and expertise of numerous academics at the university in the fields of sustainable natural resource management, nutrition, health and the bioeconomy.
Spokesperson: Prof. Dr Florian Wichern · Website: foodsystems.institute
Microscopy Centre
The Centre for Microscopy at the Faculty of Life Sciences is equipped with state-of-the-art technology – ranging from digital 3D light microscopy and atomic force microscopy to a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), which is funded under the DFG’s major equipment programme.
Our research projects
At the Faculty of Life Sciences, we conduct research into sustainable agriculture, food quality, the environment and soil science. Here you will find a selection of current and past projects. If you are interested in any particular topics, please contact the colleagues listed.
BAOFOOD
Improving food security and nutrition by promoting the use of the baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in rural communities in East Africa.
Duration: March 2016 – February 2019 · Funded by: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) · Website: baofood.de · Contact: Prof. Dr Dietrich Darr
The Baoquality Project
Improving the quality and promoting the more efficient use of baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) products to enhance food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The project contributes to improving the quality and safety of baobab products in Malawi, Kenya and Sudan, optimising local processing technologies and increasing resource efficiency in the processing chain. To this end, a rapid method for quality assessment is being developed; measures to extend shelf life are being devised and implemented; the integration of producer groups into value chains is being analysed; and innovation, product development and formalisation in the baobab sector are being investigated.
Duration: 2019–2022 · Project leader: Prof. Dr Dietrich Darr; Co-ordinator: Kathrin Meinhold · Funded by: BMEL · Website: baoquality-project.de
EIP project: Sustainable pot plant cultivation in North Rhine-Westphalia
Development of a resource-efficient and sustainable cultivation method for pot plant production. As part of the ‘European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ (EIP-AGRI) funding programme, the project is developing sustainability strategies for horticulture. Ornamental plant cultivation is a significant economic factor in North Rhine-Westphalia; at the same time, environmental, economic and social demands are increasing.
Together with thirteen horticultural businesses and two plant retailers, the project partners are developing a resource-efficient and sustainable cultivation method. This involves analysing all aspects of production and defining evaluation criteria for a sustainability analysis; accompanying trials ensure the method’s practical applicability. What is novel is that the innovation originates from within the businesses themselves, thereby ensuring a direct link to practical application.
Duration: April 2017 – March 2020 · Funded by: EIP-AGRI and the Ministry for the Environment, Agriculture, Nature and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia · Partners: Nachhaltige Zierpflanzenproduktion e.V., North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture, Das Grüne Medienhaus · Contact: Dirtje Derksen, Prof. Dr Dagmar Mithöfer
Era-Net collaborative project
Diversification of food systems in Kenya and Uganda.
Duration: 2018–2021 · Project lead: Prof. Dr Dagmar Mithöfer · Funded by: LEAP-Agri (Horizon 2020) – African-European research cooperation on sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and food security · Partners: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), Makerere University (Uganda), KU Leuven (Belgium)
The Sustainability Code for Agriculture
Development and optimisation of practical methods for sustainability management and sustainability reporting in agricultural enterprises.
Duration: 2017–2020 · Project participant: Prof. Dr Dagmar Mithöfer · Funded by: German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) · Partners: University of Bonn (lead partner), DLG, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture, and others
WoodCluster
Narrowing the East African wood supply gap: research and teaching for farm-based wood production in national bio-economies.
Duration: 2017–2020 · Project leader: Prof. Dr Dietrich Darr · Funded by: BMBF/DAAD
Projects in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
The projects of the Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Research Group – BASS (lime-sulphur fertiliser), EffiZwisch (intercropping), optiGRASS (grassland fertilisation), Soil ionoMICS (soil microorganisms), SPECTORS (remote sensing) and SusWalFood (walnut forests of Kyrgyzstan) – can be found in full detail on the Soil Science and Plant Nutrition page.
Environmental Science Projects
The projects of the Environmental Engineering research group – BIVAC (bio-resource chains), Food Pro.tec.ts, Sandbar Cropping in Northern Bangladesh and the Impact of Flooding on the River Issel – can be found in full detail on the Environmental Sciences page.