Principal Investigators
Prof. Dr. Zoya Ignatova
Managing Director of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg
As our primary PI, she supported us in every way throughout the year and helped us overcome the challenges of the pandemic. She gave us much more than just advice, but also inspiration for and confidence in our work. We also owe her many thanks for welcoming us wholeheartedly in her working group and providing us with everything we needed for our project.
Dr. Suki Albers
Staff Scientist at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg
Her advice and support was invaluable for our work in the lab. She was always there when we had to face a practical or theoretical challenge. Also, together with Prof. Dr. Ignatova, she helped us to choose one of the four projects that we prepared for this year's competition.
Individual Attributions
Support
Prof. Dr. Arp Schnittger and Dr. Maren Heese
Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg
As experts for molecular plant science, they gave us a lot of advice and support regarding the design and application of our mechanism for plants. Thanks to both of them, we were able to realize the initial limitations of our concept and to improve it accordingly. Also, they provided us with genetic material critical to our project. Further, they showed us that our mechanism is suitable for plants.
Prof. Dr. Arp Schnittger is the Head of Research Unit of the Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg.
Dr. Maren Heese is a research assistant of the Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg.
Dr. Dirk Becker
Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg
As an expert for molecular plant science, he helped us with lots of advice and support regarding the design and application of our mechanism for plants, too. He further showed us how to successfully grow and genetically modify the plants he provided us with.
He is the group leader of the Molecular Plant Genetics group of the Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg.
Dr. Mirko Himmel
Junior Research Group Leader at the Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg
He is an expert in the analysis of safety issues of biological systems. Together with him, we investigated the potential threats of our project. In addition, he suggested that we could participate in the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention in order to present synthetic biology as a possible solution to, for example, food-related security concerns. He also helped us to organize and prepare for the convention, which we hope to participate in next year.
He is the Junior Research Group Leader for the Microbiology Sub-projekt BMBF-INFABRI at the Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology at the University of Hamburg.
Dr. Skadi Kull
Junior Research
Dr. Skadi Kull is a chemist and coordinates the chemistry school laboratory "Molecules & Schools". She is a great support in the field of science communication. In addition to material things, she gave us many helpful tips on how to deal with students in many meetings. Our involvement in Girls’ Day and the STEM Day’s was only possible through this close cooperation.
We will continue to cooperate with her and the school laboratory for other projects in the future.
Special Thanks
- Lukas Schneller: We appreciate your active support in implementing our Wiki and wish you all the best.
- Stefanie Tuchtenhagen: Steffi illustrated (based on our sketches) and edited our promo video in remarkable time and quality.
- Carsten Christians: For taking and editing our portraits and team photos. Instagram: carsten.christians
- Katrin Kröger: Handling the accounting side of our accounts.
- Patrick John: Processed orders for our team and was generally available for questions about laboratory use.
- Christine Polte: Supports us with questions about laboratory use.
Gratitude to our Sponsors
Herewith we want to thank all sponsors for their support. Your commitment enables us to participate and realize our project. We are looking forward to a close partnership.
