The Young Investigator Network is the platform and democratic representation of interests for independent junior research group leaders and junior professors at the Karlsruhe Institut of Technology.
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Synthetic nanomaterials have emerged as promising alternatives to natural enzymes for catalytic and therapeutic applications. Yet, their limited stability, aqueous compatibility, and catalytic scope impede broader utilization. Pierre Picchetti and his group have now developed biocompatible nanoparticles that provide a robust and sustainable platform for enzyme-like catalysis in water. Their activity can be switched on and off in the presence of chemical signals similar to how nature regulates enzymes. As the nanoparticles are free of metal and well tolerated by living cells, they are suitable for intracellular applications.
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How biodiverse are different landscapes, and how quickly is this changing? These seemingly simple questions are often difficult to answer in practice. The project Bio-O-Ton funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, therefore, takes a new approach: “We combine audio recordings from citizen-science projects such as Dawn Chorus with high-resolution satellite data and analyze them using modern machine learning methods”, explains project leader Susanne Benz. “Our goal is to develop a method that makes ecological changes visible at an earlier stage, reliably captures trends, and supports authorities, researchers, and the public in protecting valuable habitats.” Participate with a sound recording!
Bio-O-Ton
In 2026, the Association of German University Professors of Chemistry (ADUC) awarded one of the most prestigious prizes for early-career researchers in chemistry, the ADUC Prize, to Schirin Hanf. They recognized her work on transition metal catalysts involving p-block elements and their application in industrially relevant processes. Moreover, she received Jochen Block Prize 2026 of the German Catalysis Society. To learn more about her research, check out the latest publication in Materials Advances, showcasing a nickel-based catalyst as a cost-effective, robust, and sustainable alternative for hydrogenation with strong potential for industrial-scale applications.
Materials Advances