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PIER PLUS

PIER PLUS

Photo: PIER PLUS

Biotechnology

Biotechnology in Hamburg

Hamburg is a major hub for biotechnology and the life sciences. In the metropolitan region, universities, hospitals, non-university research institutions, and companies work closely together to translate biotechnological findings from basic research into practical applications.

Hamburg’s particular strength in the field of biotechnology stems from the close collaboration between the UKE, the University of Hamburg, DESY, the Center for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), and the Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH). At the University of Hamburg, the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Group conduct research on biotechnological processes and biomolecular mechanisms. The UKE combines biochemical and cell biology research with clinical applications, for example in the interdisciplinary Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, and at the TUHH, biotechnology is characterized in particular by its strong link between basic research (CRC SMART Reactors, BlueMat Cluster of Excellence), the development of climate-friendly technologies, and industrial applications.

DESY supports biomedical research through PETRA III, in collaboration with EMBL and the CSSB, where the partners use electron cryo-microscopy, advanced light microscopy, and infection biology to conduct research at the intersection of structural biology and disease research. Biomedical research in the region is complemented by the Life Science Nord industry network. This is creating a hub for research, innovation, and education in Hamburg, where biotechnology is being further developed at the intersection of biology, medicine, technology, and industry.

Key Projects of the PIER PLUS Partners

DESY

DESY as a Catalyst for Biotechnology

DESY’s synchrotron radiation and complementary analytical infrastructure enable highly precise structural characterization of biomolecules and proteins at atomic resolution, which significantly accelerates the development of drugs and vaccines. About one-third of the research time at PETRA III is already dedicated to life sciences research. DESY’s NanoLab and Center for X-ray and Nano Science (CXNS) are conducting research on biocompatible materials for implants, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. Particularly in the fields of health research and digital medicine, DESY collaborates closely with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and the University of Hamburg, for example through the Hamburg Advanced Research Center for Bioorganic Chemistry (HARBOR). Thanks to its proximity to X-ray analysis, other research institutions have also established themselves on the DESY campus in Hamburg (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Structural Systems Biology)—as well as a number of life sciences startups (Crystals First, Provirex, Haystack, Axiom Insights, Dinabios), which reflect DESY’s active role in shaping the innovation ecosystem for biotechnology. Starting in late 2026, the DESY Innovation Factory will provide an innovation infrastructure with a special focus on the biotech sector. The DESY Innovation Factory’s Biospace (flexible laboratory space) is already available for use today. At the Zeuthen campus, the PITZ particle accelerator is being used to further develop FLASH radiation therapy for tumor treatment (partners include the Max Delbrück Center and Charité).

DESY supports the 8th HTAD Lever “Strategic Research Infrastructures” through PETRA III and, in the future, PETRA IV, enabling cutting-edge research in structural biology.

For more information on DESY’s High-Tech Agenda contributions, see the DESY brochure “Aus Forschung wird Zukunft” (in German).

Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg

Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH)

The TUHH is characterised in the field of biotechnology in particular by its strong integration of basic research and industrial application. Key structures such as the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence, the CRC SMART Reactors, and other DFG programs—as well as their targeted translation into industrial applications—form the framework for scientific activities. A particular focus is on the development of climate-friendly, autonomous biotechnological processes based on renewable raw materials, including digitized and AI-supported process control. The TUHH also boasts a robust technology transfer ecosystem with numerous spin-offs, and Tech City Hamburg is emerging as an integrated innovation hub that systematically links research, real-world laboratories, AI, robotics, and Lab2Scale infrastructures with industrial scaling.

For more information on the High-Tech Agenda at the Technical University of Hamburg, please follow this link.

University of Hamburg

The University of Hamburg conducts research in the field of biotechnology on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. A key focus is on integrating molecular and microbiology, biochemistry, and pathogen research with high-resolution imaging techniques (cryo-electron and light microscopy) for structural and functional cell analyses.