The plastic crisis:

Does gene editing pose a viable perspective?

To discuss the perspective of gene editing practices as viable solutions to the environmental plastic pollution we have invited some stakeholders for a panel discussion at the university. The speakers, relating to different fields ranging from the NGO Greenpeace (Dirk Zimmermann) to algae cultivation (Jörg Ullmann) will shed light on the topic from their different perspectives. We would like to welcome you there, too!

Algae Farm Kloetze

“The most important lungs of our planet are our oceans - every second oxygen molecule we inhale is produced by algae”

This is why Joerg Ullmann, the owner of one of the biggest algae farms in Europe, is still fascinated by algae and has worked with them for more than 15 years. We visited him at his farm to understand how algae can be cultivated in such a big scale. Here he grows spirulina and chlorella which then can be processed, for example to food and cosmetic products. As we built a bioreactor for c. reinhardtii as well, it was very important to exchange ideas. We learned that not every algae needs the same cultivation and that there is not just one perfect way to cultivate algae in general. Every species is different in its demands - this is why we have/had to experiment how chlamy can be cultivated best.