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NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes visits Rheinbach Campus of H-BRS
Brandes also learnt about the DFG research network "CytoTransport" as well as the laser laboratory and the University Research Focus "Security Research".
Brandes: University drives innovation in the region
"Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg drives innovation and internationality in the region. With its research, practice-oriented teaching and strong networking with industry, the university makes an important contribution to the business location and prosperity in our country. I am very pleased that the reconstruction of the Rheinbach Campus after the storm disaster is progressing well and with great commitment from everyone involved. The state will continue to support the university on this path," said Science Minister Ina Brandes.
President Halfmann: Minister shown progress in reconstruction
University President Marion Halfmann and Chancellor Angela Fischer were delighted with the visit. "Employees and students in Rheinbach have been through a long dry spell. Fortunately, life has now returned to the campus. We were not only able to show the Minister the progress made with the reconstruction, but also demonstrate our research strength. We are very pleased about the appreciation for H-BRS expressed by the visit and the interest in our work. Rheinbach is a very important location for us," said University President Marion Halfmann.
Chancellor Fischer: We can rely on support from the state
Buildings, technology, laboratory equipment and furniture at Rheinbach Campus were severely damaged or destroyed in the flood disaster in July 2021. The flood damage affected both the six university-owned buildings and the rented buildings. The current damage estimate is more than 60 million euros, which will be covered by the state of NRW. "We can always rely on the support of the state for the reconstruction of the Rheinbach Campus. This close cooperation is crucial for the future of this location. The commitment of our employees, teaching staff and students, who have overcome the challenges with great determination, has been and continues to be particularly impressive. And even though the reconstruction is still ongoing, the progress we are seeing is a strong sign of the innovative strength of our university," emphasised Chancellor Angela Fischer.
Tour of the Rheinbach Campus
During a tour of the campus, Ute Schmitz, Head of Facility Management, Construction and Security, gave the Science Minister an up-to-date overview of the situation. Vice Presidents Peter Muck and Johannes Steinhaus also reported on their experiences. Four buildings have now been completely rebuilt. Work is still ongoing in two building complexes, but they can already be used provisionally in some cases. The reopening of the library in January 2024 was a milestone, and the remaining parts of the building will now be gradually released - for example, the largest lecture theatre (Audimax), which was part of the tour, should be available again at the end of this year. The complete restoration is planned for the middle of next year. The campus will not only be completely renovated, but also refurbished, modernised and brought up to date in terms of energy efficiency.
Security research is a focus of H-BRS
One area where the water was metres high in July 2021 is the laser laboratory. Today, H-BRS researchers are once again working here on laser-based analysis methods for possible biological, chemical or other hazardous substances, as Professor Peter Kaul explained to the Minister. Fast and reliable methods of analysing suspicious substances are essential for emergency services and authorities when assessing hazards. Safety research is a focus of the university. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds many of the H-BRS projects and there are collaborations with other research institutions.
Demonstration of the DFG joint project "CytoTransport"
It is a great success for H-BRS that the German Research Foundation (DFG) has selected the joint project "CytoTransport - Mechanisms and Modulation of Cellular Transport Processes" for its new "Forschungsimpulse" programme for universities of applied sciences. Over a period of five years, the DFG will fund the establishment of a centre for biomedical research with a total of six million euros from the end of 2023. Nine research groups are part of the interdisciplinary network. When transport processes in cells malfunction, this often results in diseases such as metabolic disorders, high blood pressure, kidney and lung damage or inflammation. During her visit, Professor Jörn Oliver Sass gave Minister Ina Brandes an insight into the sub-project that his "Inborn errors of metabolism" research group is working on. Among other things, the researchers are working on ketone bodies, which are small, energy-rich molecules that are mainly formed in the liver during starvation. The group is researching in cells and with the help of threadworms how ketone bodies are released from liver cells and enter other body cells and what significance they have beyond providing energy. The aim is to better understand their function and the effect of genetic variants. A better understanding of the processes is a prerequisite for developing new therapeutic strategies.
Der Besuch in Bildern
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