Research

Functional nanomaterials could soon control the activity of neurons in the brain. By using this minimally invasive method, Prof Dr. Danijela Gregurec hopes to revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders such as depression, panic attacks, epilepsy or Alzheimer’s. In conjunction with researchers from Italy, Spain, the UK, and Finland, FAU chemist Gregurec has launched the BRAINSTORM project, which has received 3 million euros of funding from the EU, 740,000 euros of which have been awarded to FAU.

“FAU mourns the loss of an outstanding researcher who had a decisive influence on virological research at our university,” remarked FAU President, Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger, on the news of Harald zur Hausen's death. The Nobel laureate died on Sunday at the age of 87.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is extending funding for a collaborative research center (CRC) or transregio (TRR), for which FAU is a co-applicant. The researchers will receive a further three million euros in funding over the next four years.

An international team of researchers including scientists from FAU has, for the first time, used x-rays for an imaging process that utilizes a particular quantum characteristic of light.

An interdisciplinary research team from FAU and the Universities of Ulm and Würzburg, led by Prof. Falk Nimmerjahn, Chair of Genetics at FAU, has deciphered the mechanism by which intravenous immunoglobulins mediate the resolution of joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Landmann from the Institute of Economics at FAU is collaborating on a project that is hoping to secure outpatient health care services in Pakistan. In this interview, he talks about his role as an economist and that of his team in the project and what he does during his research stays in Pakistan.

Remarkable result: The restructured Federal Employment Agency has not improved its ability to match vacancies with job seekers. Rather, an improved activation policy at the Agency increased the use of private job search engines by job seekers, thus increasing the likelihood that they find a new job.

The German Informatics Society has chosen the 10 AI newcomers of 2023, and one of them is Nora Gourmelon from FAU’s Chair of Computer Science 5 (Pattern Recognition). She has been recognized for her work in the area of natural and life sciences, in particular due to her innovative and interdisciplinary approach.

By superimposing two laser fields of different strengths and frequency, the electron emission of metals can be measured and controlled precisely to a few attoseconds. Physicists from FAU, the University of Rostock and the University of Konstanz have shown that this is the case. The findings could lead to new quantum-mechanical insights and enable electronic circuits that are a million times faster than today.

Flying is the most damaging mode of transportation for our climate. However, work is already underway to investigate technical alternatives to conventional aircraft. For example, airships with highly efficient solar cells and extremely light batteries on board. Prof. Dr. Christoph Pflaum from FAU, together with Prof. Dr. Agnes Jocher from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the FAU student Tim Riffelmacher, have investigated which route a solar airship would have to take in order to fly from London to New York as quickly and as climate-friendly as possible.