Our technical areas of competence

CRISPR is an abbreviation of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and stands for a family of DNA sequences in bacteria that contains snippets of DNA from viruses that have attacked the bacterium. These snippets are used by the bacterium to detect and destroy DNA from further attacks by similar viruses. These sequences play a key role in a bacterial defense system, and form the basis of a genome editing technology known as CRISPR/Cas9 that allows permanent modification of genes within organisms CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement. The use of CRISPR/Cas9-gRNA complex for genome editing was the AAAS’s choice for breakthrough of the year in 2015.

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. They are found in multicellular organisms. In mammals, there are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells, which are found in various tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells – ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm—but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.

CRISPR is an abbreviation of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and stands for a family of DNA sequences in bacteria that contains snippets of DNA from viruses that have attacked the bacterium. These snippets are used by the bacterium to detect and destroy DNA from further attacks by similar viruses. These sequences play a key role in a bacterial defense system, and form the basis of a genome editing technology known as CRISPR/Cas9 that allows permanent modification of genes within organisms CRISPR/Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement. The use of CRISPR/Cas9-gRNA complex for genome editing was the AAAS’s choice for breakthrough of the year in 2015.

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divide (through mitosis) to produce more stem cells. They are found in multicellular organisms. In mammals, there are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and adult stem cells, which are found in various tissues. In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues. In a developing embryo, stem cells can differentiate into all the specialized cells – ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm—but also maintain the normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or intestinal tissues.

Quantum dots (QD) are very small semiconductor particles, only several nanometers in size, so small that their optical and electronic properties differ from those of larger particles. They are a central theme in nanotechnology. Many types of quantum dot will emit light of specific frequencies if electricity or light is applied to them, and these frequencies can be precisely tuned by changing the dots‘ size, shape and material, giving rise to many applications. Quantum dots exhibit properties that are intermediate between those of bulk semiconductors and those of discrete molecules. Because of their highly tunable properties, QDs are of wide interest. Potential applications include transistors, solar cells, LEDs, diode lasers and second-harmonic generation, quantum computing, and medical imaging.

Texturized Dairy Proteins (TDP) are obtained from milk which is subjected to a specific forming process applying both high pressure and high temperature. Depending on process conditions protein masses are obtained having texture and taste of for example tuna, chicken, beef, or mushrooms; even popcorn can be rebuilt by this technology. Therefore TDP opens the door for providing an alternative source for proteins and high-caloric vegetarian food as a sustainable “green” substitute for meat, reducing carbon dioxide emission and reducing negative impact of intensive agriculture on the environment.

Texturized Dairy Proteins (TDP) are obtained from milk which is subjected to a specific forming process applying both high pressure and high temperature. Depending on process conditions protein masses are obtained having texture and taste of for example tuna, chicken, beef, or mushrooms; even popcorn can be rebuilt by this technology. Therefore TDP opens the door for providing an alternative source for proteins and high-caloric vegetarian food as a sustainable “green” substitute for meat, reducing carbon dioxide emission and reducing negative impact of intensive agriculture on the environment.