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).

University of Duisburg-Essen launches the excursion season in the Blue Classrooms of the Emscher-Lippe region

As implementing partners of the Emschergenossenschaft and the Lippeverband (EGLV), teams from two working groups at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) are now supporting the excursion programme to 13 Blue Classrooms in the region. Under the motto “Join in – Discover your Blue Classroom”, ten educational learning modules combine environmental education with a hands-on experience of nature along the renaturalised waters of the Emscher and Lippe rivers.

The UDE’s Aquatic Ecology and Biology Education – Biology Education Research and Learning Lab working groups will design and lead up to 100 excursions in 2026 and 2027, tailored to different age groups and target audiences – from nursery and primary school groups through lower and upper secondary schools to vocational school classes. The aim of the excursions is to make ecological relationships tangible directly on site: participants discover typical organisms, learn how to assess water quality using simple methods, and experience how renaturation creates new habitats. In this way, key content from the Collaborative Research Centre 1439 RESIST is also communicated to a broad target audience. 

Grant notification for €11.5 million handed over

    by Juliana Fischer 13 March 2026 

The University of Duisburg-Essen is to receive a new centre for its internationally recognised water research: the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Regional Development Fund are funding the FutureWaterCampus. Environment Minister Oliver Krischer today presented a grant approval notice for €11.5 million. The new building will be constructed in the immediate vicinity of the ACTIVE SITES research facility at Thurmfeld in Essen. 

Research, networking and new ideas on water

    13 March 2026 

To mark World Water Day on 22 March, everything on the Essen campus on 17 March will revolve around one of the key issues of our time: water. The Centre for Environmental and Water Research (ZWU) at the University of Duisburg-Essen invites you to ZWU Water Day – a day full of inspiration, encounters and insights into water research.

nternational research into water, catalysis, materials and proteins

    by Astrid Bergmeister 16 March 2026 

On the Essen campus of the University of Duisburg-Essen, the new Thurmfeld Research and Innovation Campus is taking shape. Today’s laying of the foundation stone for the new ACTIVE SITES research building, dedicated to internationally renowned water, catalysis, materials and protein research, brings the building’s completion another step closer. ACTIVE SITES is the first construction project that the University of Duisburg-Essen is managing independently as the client. The building is scheduled to open in 2028.

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