Press Releases

Stefanie Petermichl is one of eight newly appointed Alexander von Humboldt Professors. She has now been officially presented with her award in Berlin in the presence of many celebrities.

How does the Venus flytrap count and calculate? This is what the Würzburg plant researcher Rainer Hedrich wants to find out. For his project, he will receive 1.5 million euros from a renowned funding programme.

The leaves of date palms can heat up to temperatures around 50 degrees Celsius. They survive thanks to a unique wax mixture that is essential for the existence in the desert.

The OCR4all tool ensures converting historical printings into computer-readable texts. It is very reliable, user-friendly, and open source. It was developed by scientists at the University of Würzburg.

Controlling cells with light: Professor Georg Nagel has won another award for his contributions to the invention and refinement of optogenetics. He received the prize along with other laureates in the USA.

An implantable cardioverter defibrillator can save lives, but can also trigger fears - a Würzburg study shows how a web-based intervention can improve psychosocial well-being.

Diversity beats monotony: a colourful patchwork of small, differently used plots can bring advantages to agriculture and nature. This is the result of a new study by the University of Würzburg.

Frank Würthner, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Würzburg, receives a highly renowned prize: He is awarded the Adolf von Baeyer Medal.

A new international research group aims to develop new approaches to prevent and treat cytomegalovirus infection. Lars Dölken, a virology expert from Würzburg, is the research unit's spokesman.

Professor Thomas Rudel receives a high-ranking award from the European Research Council. The microbiologist will receive 2.5 million euros for a new project to investigate pathogenic Chlamydia.

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have discovered a new mechanism of gene transcription in tumor cells. Their study identifies novel strategies to develop innovative anti-Cancer drugs.

Land use in tropical mountain regions leads to considerable changes of biodiversity and ecological functions. The intensity of such changes is greatly affected by the climate.

Direct coupling of two molecules of nitrogen: chemists from Würzburg and Frankfurt have achieved what was thought to be impossible. This new reaction is reported in Science magazine and opens new possibilities for one of the most inert molecules on earth.

Two proteins work hand in hand to ensure that the tumour cells of neuroblastoma can grow at full speed. In "Nature", a Würzburg research team shows how the proteins can do this.

Icefish live in an environment that should be deadly for them. Scientists have now investigated how they still manage to exist there and what evolutionary adaptations they have had to undergo in order to do so.