Biomedical research at the Faculty aims to identify disease mechanisms at the molecular level and to develop biotechnological methods that can be used to influence these processes in order to develop more precise diagnostics and novel active substances.

The focus of the working groups on "Water Research" is on questions relating to the development, changes and restoration of aquatic biodiversity from the level of genes and species communities to ecosystems and their function. In addition to basic research, the focus is on interdisciplinary, application-oriented research projects.

The research focus on subject-related empirical teaching and learning research investigates questions relating to the learning and teaching of biology at school, at university or at extracurricular learning venues. In cooperation with other working groups in subject didactics and teaching-learning research, they also investigate interdisciplinary questions. They are integrated into the Interdisciplinary Center for Educational Research (IZfB) and the Center for Teacher Education (ZLB).

Study shows exposure in marine mammals

    by Juliana Fischer 23.02.2026 

Parasites have a bad image. Yet they could help to visualise environmental problems. A recent study by researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen shows that they can provide valuable information about pollution in the oceans. The study investigated how trace elements such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, zinc and iron accumulate in harbour porpoises and their parasites. 

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The entire article in Campus Aktuell is unfortunately only in German

Scientific symposium for Michael Ehrmann

On February 13, 2026, a scientific symposium was held in the library lecture hall of the UDE to mark the official end of Michael Ehrmann's term of office.
After welcoming remarks by Rector Barbara Albert and Vice Rector for Research Astrid Westendorf, high-profile speakers and former colleagues reported on current research, personal memories, and their shared scientific careers with Michael Ehrmann.
The event provided an impressive summary of current research and the fundamental contributions made by Ehrmann's research group to the field of protein quality control. The day ended with drinks and a buffet at the “Die Brücke” café.

New meta-analysis on spawning migrations
Temperature as a key stimulus for European freshwater fish

Spawning migrations are crucial for many freshwater fish to reach suitable reproductive habitats. In European rivers, however, this ecological function is severely restricted by transverse structures, while climate change further exacerbates the situation. A new meta-analysis systematically examines for the first time which environmental factors trigger spawning migrations of European freshwater fish.

The evaluation of 112 studies on 50 species and more than 685,000 individuals shows that water temperature is the most important and consistent stimulus for migration. Other factors such as solar radiation, water turbidity, and cloud cover had only weak effects, while runoff, precipitation, and air pressure had no significant influence across all species. In addition, species-specific mean migration temperatures correlate closely with the upper thermal tolerance limits of the species.

On this basis, a new classification into cold-, cool-, and warm-water spawning guilds is proposed. It enables better predictions of climate change impacts and provides a basis for water protection and passability measures.

Original Publication: Schlautmann, C., Arlinghaus, R., Hering, D., Lorenz, A. W., Wolter, C. & Schürings, C. (2026): A Meta-Analysis on Environmental Triggers of Spawning Migrations Reveals a New Classification of Thermal Guilds in European Freshwater Fishes. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.70063

From 10–12 November, PhD students of the EU funded Glyco-N Doctoral Network met at the UDE for the second Glyco-N Workshop, hosted by the group of Markus Kaiser.

Over three days, the participants focused on hands-on glycoscience, applying bioorthogonal labeling techniques and click reactions to investigate the glycosylation of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. The program was complemented by lectures from UDE members Markus Kaiser, Benjamin Meyer, Bettina Siebers and Laura Kuschmierz, covering N-glycosylation pathways in archaea, chemo-enzymatic synthesis of N-glycans, and glycosyltransferase engineering.

Further information on the GLYCO-N doctoral network (GLYCO protein N-glycosylation from non-life to eukaryotes a Doctoral Network to expand the knowledge on a ubiquitous post translational modification of proteins): https://glyco-n.eu/

GLYCO-N is funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement 101119499.

Graduation ceremony 2025