External Funding Projects

"AGRIFUTURE - Securing the future of agriculture through mobile, biopore-based, universal high-throughput sequencing for the detection of plant pathogens and parasites"

The aim of the project is the further development of a method based on biopore-supported high-throughput sequencing combined with database analyses for the detection of regulated and new pathogens on crops. The results of this project target the detection of pathogens from any group and any sample (for example plant samples, leaf samples, samples from spore or insect traps) within a few hours.

Funding: German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE)
Period of funding
: 2021 – 2024
Applicant: Prof. Dr. Marco Thines
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Marco Thines

Genomic evolution of underwater silk in caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) and other freshwater arthropods

Aquatic insects have been neglected in genomic studies. However, they exhibit a suite of ecologically relevant key innovations and adaptive traits, the evolution and genetic background of which remain poorly understood. This project is designed to fill this gap by generating and analyzing genomic data to study the evolution of adhesive underwater silk in Trichoptera (caddisflies) and other (semi-) aquatic arthropods

Funding: German Federal Agency (DFG)
Period of funding:
2023 – 2025
Participant from LOEWE-TBG:
Dr. Jacqueline Heckenhauer

To provide novel insights into the genes that are involved in exceptional longevity and immunity of bats, we will conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of high-quality genomes of all 21 recognized bat families. Specifically, building on established comparative genomics approaches, we will screen for ancestral genes that are inactivated in bats, genes that evolved under relaxed or positive selection, and novel genes that arose in bats.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding
: 2021 – 2023
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Michael Hiller

" ZOWIAC - Zoonotic and ecological effects on wildlife of invasive carnivores"


The joint project ZOWIAC will make an essential contribution to the development of up-to-date, sound and reliable data in order to better assess the health risk posed by the raccoon, raccoon dog, mink and golden jackal, and their impact on native species and ecosystems,

Funding: The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
Period of funding
: 2018 – 2024
Project partners: Goethe University, Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel


This project is addressing the question what is the contribution of convergent vs. lineage-specific molecular changes to phenotypic convergence, using convergent adaptations to a sugar-rich diet in independent lineages of frugivorous and nectarivorous bats as a tractable model. This will reveal the first comprehensive picture of convergent as well as lineage-specific changes that are important for adaptations to sugar-rich diets in these bats, which may also uncover promising targets with relevance for human metabolic disorders.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding: 2021 – 2024
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Michael Hiller

"ASCRIBE - Screening bioresources to identify novel antiviral agents for the treatment of influenza infections"


The primary goal of the project is to identify novel drug compounds for the treatment of influenza across subtypes.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Period of funding
: 2020 – 2025
Project leader: Dr. Kornelia Hardes
Cooperation partners:
Prof. Dr. Eva Friebertshäuser, Institute of Virology, Philipps University Marburg
Prof. Dr. Torsten Steinmetzer, Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Dr. Kornelia Hardes

"Niche evolution of Tibetan-Himalayan Rhyacophilidae (Trichoptera) II: Comparative Phylogeography and Niche Differentiation of Alpine/Subalpine Himalopsyche of the Himalayan/QTP Region"


The project will generate insights on the importance of topography on migration patterns of aquatic insects and the role of mountain ranges as species pumps under environmental change.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding
: 2018 – 2022
Applicants: Dr. Sami Domisch – Leibniz-Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei (IGB)
Prof. Dr. Sonja Jähnig – Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Prof. Dr. Steffen Pauls – Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Steffen Pauls

"Terpenoids from fungi"


Terpenes or their derivatives are found in all organisms. In the Attract group stand fungi of the IME-BR strain collection (formerly Sanofi strain collection) are cultivated in different systems. Thus, the production of terpenoid compounds is induced. The formed compounds are subsequently tested for their sensory, antiviral and antimicrobial activity in order to use them, for example, as flavors in the food industry, as attractants or repellents in the agricultural industry or in pharmaceuticals.

Funding: Fraunhofer Attract
Period of funding
: 2021 – 2026
Project leader: Dr. Martin Rühl

"Spatio-temporal dynamics of genome-wide diversity of Fagus sylvatica"


Using the whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach, the project will investigate genetic diversity and differentiation among natural populations of F. sylvatica representing the three major lineages of this species (reference populations) defined in Central Europe. The findings will have high importance for understanding the underlying mechanisms driving changes in neutral and adaptive genomic regions, which will be relevant for managing of genetic resources of tree species in the context of genetic conservation but also forestry practices.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding
: 2020 – 2023
Applicant: Prof. Dr. Marco Thines
Partner organisation: Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN), Polen
Cooperation partners: Professor Dr. Jaroslaw Burczyk
Dr. Joanna Meger
Dr. Bartosz Ulaszewski
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Marco Thines

"Microbial biofactories: RhabdoFerm - Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus bacteria as production stems for biologically active natural products applied in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology."


Many bacteria produce biologically active natural products or secondary metabolites, some of which are also used clinically, e.g. as antibiotics or against cancer. In the past, these natural products were mainly obtained from known natural product producers such as Streptomyces or Myxobacteria. However, recent work shows that many other bacterial genera are also capable of producing natural products, but their function and structure are mostly still unknown. The goal of RhabdoFerm is to uncover this treasure. 

Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Period of funding
: 2020 – 2023
Participants from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Helge Bode, Prof. Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas

"Function, mechanism and structural basis for the regulation of gene expression by small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) in γ-proteobacteria (B17*)"

Subproject of SFB 902: Molecular Mechanisms of RNA-based Regulation

The aim of this project is to delineate the molecular basis for sRNA-based regulatory mechanisms in these bacteria by combining transcriptomic methods, in vivo mutagenesis, in vitro biochemical and biophysical experiments with structural biology approaches

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding
: 2020 – 2023
Project leaders: 
Professor Dr. Helge Björn Bode, 
Professor Dr. Jens Wöhnert  
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Helge Bode

"PHYTOARK - Predicting the future from signatures of the past: using living sediment archives and ancient DNA to understand responses of marine primary producers to environmental changes"


PHYTOARK looks into the Holocene history of the Baltic Sea to estimate patterns of phytoplankton biodiversity in the past and to assess its ecosystem function under global change.

Funding: WGL – Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Period of funding
: 2021 – 2024
Project coordination: Dr. Anke Kremp
Research focus:
Priority 1: Small- and mesoscale processes
Priority 3: Ecosystems in transition
Priority 4: Coastal seas and society
Project partners: 
University of Helsinki
HELCOM
Södertörn University
University of Gothenburg
University of Lund
University of Hamburg
Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center
University of Konstanz
Michigan State University, Kellogg Biological Station

Participants from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Miklos Balint, Prof. Dr. Markus Pfenninger

"Validating venom variation and evolution in solitary and eusocial aculeate hymenopterans by comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics"


This project aims to tackle for the first time venom evolution and biology within aculeate hymenopterans in a comparative approach using the triade of modern venom science (venomics): transcriptomics, proteomics and genomics. The two major goals are to address possible venom variation between solitary and eusocial aculeates and how venom proteins differ between pollinating and predatory taxa. Aculeate taxa are further introduced as new model organism to understand fundamental principles and to test current hypotheses in venom evolution and venom biology.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding
: 2019 – 2022
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Dr. Björn Marcus von Reumont

"In search of the garden dormouse”


The project aims to secure the existing garden dormouse populations in a large part of their German distribution range. Besides a more precise knowledge of the current distribution, the project will also contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of the species by radio telemetry, food analyses (using faeces), clinical checks of dead animals, and genetical analyses of different populations. Recommendations for wildlife stations for the correct handling of Garden dormouse are developed.

Funding: The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with resources from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Period of funding: 2018 – 2024
Additional funding and support:
BUND Bundesverband (German Association), 
BUND Naturschutz in Bayern (Nature Protection Bavaria)
BUND Hessen (Hesse)
BUND Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)
BUND Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia)
BUND Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate):
BUND Thüringen (Thuringia)
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Dr. Carsten Nowak


The project is developing an up-to-date synthesis on the scientifically supported impacts on forest biodiversity. The impact of the forest management and of the natural evolution of abandoned forests will be measured and compared.
The joint project is divided into two sub-projects. In the first sub-project (SP 1), a list of indicators (species, structures, habitats, site conditions) will be identified. In subproject 2 (SP 2) a monitoring concept will be developed on the basis of SP 1, which will undergo a practical test.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
Period of funding
: 2020 – 2022
In cooperation with:
Bayerische Staatsforsten,
Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben,
Forst Baden-Württemberg,
Landesbetrieb Forst Brandenburg,
Landesbetrieb Hessen Forst,
Landesbetrieb Wald und Holz NRW,
Landesforst Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
Landesforstbetrieb Sachsen-Anhalt,
Landesforsten Rheinland-Pfalz, Niedersächsische Landesforsten,
SaarForst Landesbetrieb, Schleswig-Holsteinische Landesforsten,
Staatsbetrieb Sachsenforst, ThüringenForst,
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung 
Applicants: Prof. Dr. Hermann Spellmann, Dr. Peter Meyer
Participant from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Steffen Pauls

"BE-Spring: Discovering Collembola biodiversity on grasslands with emerging genomic and metagenomic tools"


The project is aiming to create a Springtail Genome Reference Database (SGRD) with a focus on grassland soil Collembola fauna. The SGRD will provide genome data that not only includes all standard barcodes, but also considerably increases available genomic information, including also lower-copy nuclear elements. The project will evaluate 1) how land use intensity drives species abundance, richness and 2) functional trait distribution, and 3) how Collembola communities are related to other organism groups of the grassland ecosystem, including the abundance of particular fungi and plants. 

Subproject of SPP 1374:  Exploratories for Long-Term and Large-Scale Biodiversity Research (Biodiversity Exploratories)
Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Period of funding: 2020 – 2023
Participants from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Miklos Balint, Dr. Clement Schneider, Anna Küchler

"TrenDNA – Investigations on Biodiversity with the German Environmental Specimen Bank"


The project is aiming to take a comprehensive look at temporal biodiversity trends: at soil, fields, forests, rivers and coasts. Newly developed genetic methods will allow analyzing these trends with the samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank archives in greater detail.

Period of funding: 2021 – 2025
Funding
Federal Environment Agency
Project coordination: Prof. Dr. Florian Leese
Project partners: 
University of Duisburg-Essen
University of Trier
Senckenberg Society for Nature research 
Fraunhofer IME

Participants from LOEWE-TBG: Prof. Dr. Miklos Balint, Prof. Dr. Markus Pfenninger, Prof. Dr. Steffen Pauls