HHU Opens Doors to the Community for "Tag der Forschung"
Düsseldorf, Germany – On July 5, 2025, Heinrich Heine University (HHU) welcomed the public to its "Tag der Forschung" (Research Day), an event designed to showcase the university's diverse research landscape to the broader community. Aimed at engaging individuals of all ages from Düsseldorf and the surrounding areas, the day featured numerous interactive exhibits and presentations.
The CRC1535 MibiNet, in collaboration with the Institute of Microbiology, was one highlight of the event, engaging visitors with a hands-on experiment titled "Sweet Secrets – Why Even Fungi Have a Sweet Tooth." The activity captivated adults and young aspiring scientists, allowing them to delve into the fascinating world of sugar metabolism.
Unraveling Sugar's Role: From Humans to Fungi
The experiment explored the universal role of sugar as a quick energy source and essential building block for life. Participants learned about common household sugar, sucrose, a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, derived from sugarcane and sugar beets. While excessive sugar intake can harm human health, it remains vital for metabolism. Complex sugars must first be broken down into components to serve as energy. In humans, the enzyme isomaltose-sucralase cleaves sucrose in the gut. Microbes like baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) employ invertase enzymes for this exact purpose.
The experiment demonstrated the breakdown of sucrose into glucose and fructose using a "DNS Assay." This method leverages the reducing properties of glucose and fructose, which react with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) to produce a distinct color change from yellow to dark red. Heating to 95 °C accelerates this reaction.
Investigating Sugar Metabolism in Ustilago maydis
The microbiology team at HHU focuses on Ustilago maydis, a corn smut fungus that infects maize plants and relies on the plant's sucrose for nourishment. Unlike baker's yeast, the sugar metabolism of U. maydis is not yet fully understood. Researchers are investigating the specific enzymes involved in sucrose cleavage within this fungus. Elucidating this process is crucial for a deeper understanding of the development of the plant disease and the overall biology of the fungus.
The success of the "Sweet Secrets" experiment was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Kerstin Schipper, Tom Berwanger, Melissa Vazquez-Carrada, Philip Nakonz, Alex Anburaj, Andrew Strong, and Michael Feldbrügge, to whom special thanks are extended.
Süße Geheimisse: Warum sogar Pilze naschen
Zucker, bekannt als schnelle Energiequelle und essentieller Baustein für Lebewesen, begegnet uns täglich. Haushaltszucker, Saccharose, ist ein Zweifachzucker aus Glukose (Traubenzucker) und Fruktose (Fruchtzucker). Er wird aus Zuckerrohr und Zuckerrüben gewonnen. Während zu viel Zucker unserer Gesundheit schaden kann, ist er dennoch für den Stoffwechsel unerlässlich.
Damit sie als Energiequelle dienen können, müssen Mehrfachzucker in ihre Einzelbestandteile zerlegt werden. Beim Menschen spaltet das Enzym Isomaltose-Sucralase Saccharose im Darm. Mikroben wie die Bäckerhefe (Saccharomyces cerevisiae = Zuckerpilz des Bieres) nutzen dafür Invertase-Enzyme.
Im Labor lässt sich die Spaltung von Saccharose zu Glukose und Fruktose mit einem „DNS Assay“ sichtbar machen. Dieses Verfahren nutzt die Eigenschaft von Glukose und Fruktose als reduzierende Zucker, die mit 3,5-Dinitrosalicylsäure (DNS) reagieren und einen deutlichen Farbumschlag von Gelb zu Dunkelrot hervorrufen. Die Reaktion wird durch Erhitzen auf 95 °C beschleunigt.
In der Mikrobiologie untersuchen wir Ustilago maydis, einen Brandpilz, der Maispflanzen infiziert. Dieser Pilz ernährt sich von der Saccharose der Pflanze. Anders als bei der Bäckerhefe ist der Zuckerstoffwechsel von U. maydis noch nicht vollständig erforscht. Wir untersuchen derzeit die Enzyme, die an der Saccharosespaltung in diesem Pilz beteiligt sind. Die Aufklärung dieses Prozesses ist entscheidend, um die Entstehung der Pflanzenkrankheit und die Biologie des Pilzes besser zu verstehen.
Inspiring Young Scientists at Girls' Day 2025: Exploring the Chemical Power of Fungi
On April 3rd, the Institute of Microbiology buzzed with the energy of nine enthusiastic young women for Girls' Day. This year's captivating theme, "Fungi as a Chemical Factory," offered a fascinating glimpse into how these remarkable organisms can synthesize complex chemical compounds.
The girls immersed themselves in the world of a researcher, exploring our laboratories and witnessing firsthand the cultivation and propagation of laboratory fungi. Microscopes revealed the intricate details of various species, sparking curiosity and wonder.
Their infectious enthusiasm and insightful questions highlighted the vital role of Girls' Day in igniting a passion for natural sciences in young minds and potentially shaping their future academic and professional journeys.
A heartfelt thank you to all the participants and dedicated contributors who made this day a resounding success. Special recognition goes to Kerstin Schipper, whose inspiring commitment truly empowered the girls to explore the exciting possibilities within science. We hope this experience has planted a seed of scientific curiosity, and we look forward to perhaps welcoming some of these bright young minds back to our university in the future!
Successful Lecture by Anna Matuszyńska on Computational Modeling of Phototrophs
Golm, Germany [13.03.2025] Anna Matuszyńska of RWTH Aachen University presented a compelling lecture on computational modeling of phototrophs at Potsdam University, as part of the CRC 1644 "Phenotypic Plasticity" seminar series, which investigates how plants adapt to environmental changes at the genetic and molecular level. The computational modeling of photosynthetic organisms, as presented by Dr. Matuszyńska, provides a valuable tool for understanding the complex mechanisms of adaption that are the focus of the CRC 1644.
Anna Matuszyńska delivered "Computational Modeling of Phototrophs: from Single Cell Dynamics to Microbial Markets" to an engaged audience. Her presentation offered key insights into photosynthesis and the application of computational models to understand its regulatory processes. Matuszyńska shared recent advancements in simulating the dynamics of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, efforts to incorporate temperature effects into models of photosynthetic processes, and initiatives to facilitate modular mechanistic modeling using Python. The lecture was well-received and sparked much discussion.
Little Researchers, Big Discoveries: Mushroom Workshop at AWO Kita Ki.Wis Entdeckergarten
Monheim am Rhein, [March 10, 2025] The children of the AWO Kita Ki.Wis Entdeckergarten in Monheim am Rhein recently experienced an exciting adventure into the world of mushrooms. Dr. Marius Terfrüchte, a dedicated MibiNet mentor and kindergarten father, conducted the workshop in cooperation with the Institute of Microbiology and the SFB1535 MibiNet "Microbial Networking" of Heinrich Heine University.
Together, the little researchers went on a journey of discovery and learned where fungi grow, what different types exist, and how fungi can even contribute to health. With great interest, the children examined the fungi closely – some even under a magnifying glass! As a grand finale, they were allowed to try various mushrooms, experiencing the diversity of these fascinating organisms through taste.
"The children were thrilled by the variety of fungi and explored and tasted everything with great interest," said Dr. Marius Terfrüchte. "It is my concern to bring children closer to nature's wonders and awaken their interest in scientific topics."
The cooperation with the Institute of Microbiology and MibiNet of HHU made it possible to design the workshop with scientific expertise and give the children a well-founded insight into the world of fungi.
"We are very pleased about the successful cooperation and the great interest of the children in this important topic," said Dr. Kerstin Schipper, head of the Biotechnology working group at the Institute of Microbiology. "Promoting scientific interest in children is a key concern for us."
The workshop was a complete success and showed how exciting and educational nature exploration can be. A heartfelt thank you goes to Dr. Marius Terfrüchte for his dedication and the successful execution of the workshop.