Our research focusses on marine phytoplankton with an emphasis on diatoms. We isolate these species-rich unicellular organisms from the sea and rivers right on our doorstep and have species of interest brought back from expeditions of our research vessels. Cultivation and analysis take place in out Plankton Lab. Here, various equipment for microscopical studies, mechanical tests and ecological experiments is at hand.
The shells of the diatoms receive special attention. They exhibit immense stability at minimal material demands and are thus considered “stable lightweight structures” that are of interest from basic research to technology transfer.
According to the practical biological tasks, the Plankton Lab is divided in three parts: