Structure of SFB/TR 37
The primary objective of the SFB/Transregio 37 is the research of the interaction of technical structures whose dimensions can be the smallest functional components of the organism with vital cellular and sub cellular structures. For this, methods should be developed through greatly increased cooperation between the specialised areas with which micro and nano-scale structures can be functionalised, visualised and synthesised. This culture of cooperation developed and established on site in Hannover, Aachen and Rostock is multiplied with regard to mutual research goals again through the linking of excellent expertise in this field of research in a transregional sense. Thus the SFB/Transregio 37 has, in the course of the first funding period, greatly reinforced itself structurally and is certainly well suited to successfully work on the research problematics in the next funding period.
Basically the TR 37 follows, with regard to its scientific conception, a “bottom up” principle within its methods and applications, in which the micro and nanotechnology in the area of medicine is researched. The bundling of the subprojects is done in three core areas and two cross-sectional areas which have different methods and goals but which promote each other through their knowledge.
Area A (Photonics) combines all projects in the area of optical technologies and photonics and here, especially laser technologies which explore the manipulation of cells and cell networks. Especially these processes have an outstanding potential in the micro and nanosystem technology for the future – this is also the result of the individual projects in Area A from the first application period.
Area B (Biointerface) is concerned with methods in the areas of the generation, the analysis and measurement-engineering characterisation of bioactive and nanostructured surfaces and particles in order to optimise their efficiency in their interaction with biological tissue. Here, too, in this project area, excellent results have been achieved which should be continued in the sense of a larger application and in dialogue with results of the project areas including the cross-sectional projects.
In Area C (Functionalisation), the central questions of highly functional intelligent components and systems with the focus on an already concrete application are researched. Further solutions for intelligent components and systems are being examined. For example, with heart and vascular diseases as well as disorders of the eye and ear whose applications can also then be examined for other organ systems.
The cross-sectional area Q is involved with the projects “Cellular laser microscopy” and “Biocompatibility” in the development of new, more innovative examination methods. They are available to the other three areas and at the same time, serve as a testing facility with regard to imaging and biocompatibility especially for newly arising questions in connection with the processing of individual projects.
