The Alg4Nut team is excited to welcome you to two interactive sections:

• From the Sea to the Barn: Algae as Climate Saviors – and What Microbes Have to Do with It
  Prof. Dr. Mirko Basen, University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology (Lecture will be in German)
  Learn about the Alg4Nut project! Our researchers from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are exploring how Baltic Sea algae can boost cows’ digestion and health, helping to create a more climate-friendly agriculture.

• Alg4Nut – Algae as Feed for Cows
  Alg4Nut Consortium, University of Rostock and FBN (Nutritional Biochemistry)
  Take a closer look at rumen samples and the tiny microorganisms inside, using your eyes or a microscope. Then try our fun challenge: match the species descriptions to the correct algae species. Get it right, and may win a prize.

A team of three students investigated the antimicrobial effects of seagrass on pathogenic microorganisms as part of the “Jugend forscht” competition. The idea for the project emerged at the beginning of 2025 and was implemented in close collaboration with scientific partners.

The team was supervised for one year by Junior Professor Dr. Klaus Herburger  and M.Sc. Annely Seyfarth within the framework of the Alg4Nuts consortium.

The students’ project was closely aligned methodologically and conceptually with Alg4Nut. The seagrass used in the study originates from the Baltic Sea and, as in the Alg4Nut project, represents the use of regional marine resources. Seagrass contains sulfated polysaccharides, similar to the algae studied in the project, which are not found in terrestrial plants. The extraction of these polysaccharides was carried out using methods developed within the Alg4Nut context. The investigation of the antimicrobial effects of the extracts also employed approaches comparable to those used in the consortium.

At the 36^th  state competition “Jugend forscht” on March 25, 2026, the project was awarded third place.

                         15. October 2026

Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)

                             Dummerstorf

More information will be available soon.

The Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Greifswald hosted the Alg4Nut Team for an in-person meeting.

During the session, team members presented their latest updates, exchanged perspectives, and engaged in lively and constructive  discussions. The meeting offered a valuable opportunity to review ongoing progress, address current challenges, and collaboratively explore new ideas and future directions.

We are happy to receive the funding approval, handed over by the Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs Bettina Martin.

We are looking forward to the project start.

More detailed information can be found here.