Europäische Struktur- und Investitionsfonds (ESIF, ab 2021)

Maria Teresa Aguado Molina and Christoph Bleidorn, Biodiversity Museum

Project title:
Biodiversity Museum Göttingen - Redesign of the Zoological Museum of the University Göttingen as a Biodiversity Museum on the 2nd floor of the Forum Wissen

Abstract:
We totally depend on biodiversity. However, it’s in crisis. The planned Biodiversity Museum aims to show the significant impact of human activity on the planet‘s biodiversity. The museum will focus on three main subjects: biodiversity and evolution, biodiversity and ecosystems, and biodiversity and human impact. The visitors will explore them through a six chapter exhibition where they will face riddles that have been solved, while others still need to be entangled. They will also meet professional explores: the scientists and their research.
Further information

Olaf Deinert, Chair of Civil Law, Labor Law and Social Law

Project title:
Haus der Selbstständigen (translation: House of self-employed persons/ freelancer)

Abstract:
The self-employed persons, and in particular the solo self-employed, work in a wide variety of professional fields. They are self-employed with a wide range of skills and working conditions on a full-time or part-time basis. Some are exclusively self-employed, others work hybrid, i.e. they are also permanently employed alongside their self-employment. So that solo self-employed persons are not left behind economically compared to dependent employees and receive support, especially in coping with digital change:

• ... "solo self-employed persons in particular should be strengthened in their organisational competence by providing knowledge and networking opportunities."
• ... "the strengthening of joint interest groups and collective measures - also with regard to their remuneration - should be given great importance".
• ...the "Haus der Selbstständigen" should be a central point of contact in order to improve the working conditions of solo self-employed workers in particular, regardless of whether they work in the analogue or digital space."

We want to achieve these goals in cooperation with solo self-employed workers and their interest groups. The "Haus der Selbstständigen" is open to anyone who wants to work together to improve their working conditions.
Further information

Johannes Isselstein, Institute of Grassland Science

Project title:
DivGrass - Innovative biodiversity for climate resilient dairy grasslands in the North Sea Region

Abstract:
The goal of the project is to support dairy farmers in increasing biodiversity in their grassland for adaptation to climate change and to maintain the high level of milk production. The work comprises the recording of grassland performance on dairy farms in the North Sea region and the possibility of adaptation through biodiversity in grassland in order to achieve greater climate resilience and at the same time promote diversity. To this end, surveys and questionnaires will be conducted on the management, farm structure, feeding and mindset of participating farms in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. The work is flanked by field trials of intervention measures on farms. In return, farms receive data and information on feed volume and quality as well as on the ecosystem services of grassland.
Further information

Lutz Kolbe, Chair of Information Management
Mathias Willnat, Smart Mobility Research Group - Chair of Information Management

Project title:
Mobility Makers - Customising sustainable mobility mixes to fit users’ needs

Abstract:
The Interreg North Sea region’s intermediate and rural regions are struggling to increase the share of sustainable mobility. Available policy instruments are well known and implemented in cities, but less so in towns, suburbs and rural areas. Limited availability of public transport and shared mobility services result in heavy reliance on personal cars to get around and associated negative impacts on climate change, air quality, road safety, accessibility (to public services, jobs, businesses,etc.) and liveability.

Despite North Sea region’s projects’ work (MOVE and SHARE-North) on supplying sustainable mobility measures suited to their areas (e.g., car and bike sharing, mobility hubs, company support), adoption remains difficult. With a slight change in modal split and reduction in passenger-kilometres, authorities realise that apart from the supply-side, they must address the demand-side (mobility behaviour, habits and attitudes toward car use) to meet users’ needs, as well as maintain or invest only in the most relevant services. With this project, we aim to create and implement user-centred mobility mixes through better understanding users’ needs and incentivising them to change their (perceptions of their) daily mobility practices.
Further information

Max Krott, Forest and Nature Conservation Policy and Forest History

Project title:
Managing prOtective foreSt fAcIng clImate Change compound events

Abstract:
Climate change (CC) is undeniably responsible for the increase in climate-related disasters affecting Alpine communities. These phenomena are often the result of compound events, a combination of multiple climate-related hazards that contribute to socio-ecological risks. One of the key drivers of the increased vulnerability are changes in forest ecosystems.

Forests provide essential ecosystem services that support human well-being and play a critical role in the mitigation of CC, but their health and stability are also threatened by CC. Therefore, MOSAIC focuses on hazard-resilient and sustainable protective forest management coping with climate changes’ multiple dimensions, which is essential for managing climate-related risks. In order to support regional and Alpine climate action plans, the project aims to collect, harmonize and share data, models on Alpine climate-related disasters and trends. The project partners strive to raise awareness among foresters, risk managers, decision makers and the public through an Alpine network of forest living labs.
Further information

Andreas von Tiedemann, Plant Pathology and Crop Protection
Annette Pfordt, Plant Pathology and Crop Protection

Project title:
PathoGen - Diagnosis of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi in soil and plant samples using a new tool based on genome sequences

Abstract:
Trichoderma harzianum was recently identified as the causative agent of ear rot in maize in Europe. While some strains of this species cause significant damage and yield losses, others are non-pathogenic and live as saprophytes in the soil. A similar phenomenon has been demonstrated for the vascular pathogen Verticillium longisporum, which is important worldwide in oilseed rape. Various lineages differing in their virulence properties have been identified, including strains that can be classified as non-pathogenic in oilseed rape.

Based on these observations, comparative genome analyses of well-characterized strains of both species are being conducted within the PathoGen project. The goal is to detect differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic isolates that could causally explain this difference in pathogenicity. Based on this, diagnostic primer combinations will be developed and tested that allow the specific detection of pathogenic strains in different sample types. The project not only aims to gain fundamental knowledge but also pursues an application-oriented goal by developing an innovative, genome sequence-based diagnostic method for the identification of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi in soil and plant samples, which can contribute to integrated pest management.
Further information

Tim Salditt, Institute for X-ray Physics

Project title:
QUADRANT - Project to develop 3D X-ray microscopy

Abstract:
Diseases manifest themselves both in the visible body and on a microscopic level in tissue. However, conventional histological methods only use two-dimensional tissue sections. The interdisciplinary QUADRANT project, a collaboration between Histomography GmbH, Hannover Medical School and the University of Göttingen, aims to develop non-destructive quantitative 3D analyses of larger tissue samples for (bio)medical research and diagnostics. To this end, questions from the fields of developmental biology, regenerative medicine, anatomy and pathology are answered using a 3D X-ray microscope specially developed for paraffin tissue blocks as well as morphometric quantification of tissue architecture using 3D image processing and artificial intelligence methods.
Further information

Kilian Bizer, Chair of Economic Policy and SME Research
Martin Stammann, Transfer & Startup Hub University of Göttingen

Project title:
StartupSpace of the Transfer & Startup Hub - We support science-based start-up teams in particular and focus on female founders and international/ intercultural founders

Abstract:
The ERDF start-up space establishes 14 new workplaces for founders in Göttingen. Located in the University's historic observatory, they are intended to establish themselves as an interface between the start-up ecosystem of the region and the University and make a significant contribution to the start-up culture. The premises on site offer the teams space to develop ideas and provide a place for joint exchange and mutual inspiration. Accompanying workshops and consultations enable founders to develop and sell their project professionally. With a focus on female entrepreneurship and intercultural/ international founders, two target groups are particularly addressed that have been underrepresented and make the local start-up system more diverse.

The excellent networking with local companies and associations as well as the strong cooperation partners, the city of Göttingen, the district of Göttingen and the Life Science Factory gGmbH (LSF) founded by Sartorius, make a decisive contribution to the success of the start-up space. The founders therefore have direct access to relevant players and structures and can, for example, use the LSF's Makers Factory to develop prototypes or benefit from experienced founders through meet-ups.
Further information

Frank Beneke, Agricultural Engineering

Project title:
Smart Farming-Technikum - Expansion of the infrastructure with a technical centre (research hall) for smart farming and digital technologies

Abstract:
The research and further development of data-driven and smart plant cultivation is not possible without a corresponding technical basis. As part of this ERDF project, the planned infrastructure therefore represents a platform or the necessary basis for research on real machines and enables far-reaching, future-orientated research and teaching projects with a lighthouse character for the region of southern Lower Saxony and beyond. Sensor applications, assistance systems in machines, automated agricultural systems and agricultural robots are playing an increasingly important role, and their use and integration in crop production systems are being researched.

This is supplemented by issues relating to the sustainable energy supply of agricultural machinery and infrastructures. A PV-based electrical supply for agricultural machinery with alternative drives (e-tractor, agricultural robots) is planned. The planned research building is to obtain part of the required energy from its own PV system.