2026-03-05

Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation - SPP 2089

Priority Programme “Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation – a Key to Rhizosphere Functions” (SPP 2089)

This Priority Programme aims at the identification of spatiotemporal patterns in the rhizosphere and at the explanation of the underlying mechanisms. The key concept of the programme consists of approaching the rhizosphere as a self-organised system. Self-organisation arises from a cascade of feedback loops between root, microbiome and soil. Emerging patterns in the rhizosphere cannot be understood from studying the components in isolation. The overall hypothesis of the Priority Programme is that resilience emerges from self-organised spatiotemporal pattern formation in the rhizosphere.

2026-03-05

SFB Microplastic

The Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 1357: "Microplastics - Understanding the mechanisms and processes of biological effects, transport and formation: From model to complex systems as a basis for new solutions

The Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 1357: "Microplastics - Understanding the mechanisms and processes of biological effects, transport and formation: From model to complex systems as a basis for new solutions" investigates the formation, migration and effects of microplastics and develops new approaches to solving this immense environmental problem. The ubiquitous contamination of the environment with microplastics (MP), the associated risks to ecosystems and ultimately to human health has recently attracted a great deal of public and scientific attention. So far, the young field of MP research has mainly been limited to the development of suitable monitoring methods, the quantitative assessment of environmental contamination, the identification of relevant entry paths into the environment, as well as first mitigation approaches. Further, ecotoxicological studies have been performed using mostly brand-new plastics. All these approaches lacked a fundamental understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes to which MP is subjected in the environment. The scientific complexity of the field ‘MP’, however, requires an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the traditional disciplinary boundaries.

2026-03-05

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