Research in Dummerstorf: Algae as feed for cows?
"Die lange Nacht der Wissenschaften 2026“- April 23 th, 2026
The Alg4Nut team welcomed numerous interested visitors with two engaging and interactive sections:
Prof. Dr. Mirko Basen presented the Alg4Nut project, highlighting how researchers from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are collaborating to explore how Baltic Sea algae can improve cows’ diet and health, contributing to a more climate-friendly agriculture.
The Alg4Nut team from the University of Rostock and Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) (Nutritional Biochemistry Gruop) created an exciting interactive experience that attracted visitors of all ages, from children to adults.
Visitors had the opportunity to observe microbial communities in rumen fluid under a microscope, learn about different algae species, and explore the Alg4Nut project through interactive card games. Participants who successfully completed the activities were rewarded with small prizes.
Mark Your Calender
Alg4Nut-Status Seminar
15. October 2026
Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN)
Dummerstorf
More information will be available soon.
Success at Jugend forscht: Student Team Achieves Third Place
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 36th state competition “Jugend forscht” on March 25, 2026, the project was awarded third place.
Annual Conference of the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM), Berlin , 22- 25 March, 2026
Prof. Dr. Mirko Basen, Sonja Kurrer and Karin Krangemann from the University of Rostock and Katrina Funkner from the University of Greifswald presented the Alg4Nut project, plans and progress in the Microbiological Research at the Annual meeting of the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM).
Conference abstracts can be found here.
Team Meeting , February 25 th, 2026
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.
Forschungscamp 2025, November 20 th, 2025
We have presented the Alg4Nut project at Forschungscamp 2025 of the University of Rostock.
Forschungscamp 2025 is an annual gathering of researchers and scientists from University of Rostock where participants come together to exchange their latest findings and insights. We presented project in form of a poster. In addition, the project was introduced in a “My Research in 90 Seconds” session .
Further details about the program can be found here.
Kick-off Meeting, June 24 th, 2025
The Department of Microbiology and the Department of Cell Biology of Phototrophic Marine Organisms at the University of Rostock proudly hosted the kick-off meeting of the Alg4Nut project, officially launching this exciting new initiative.
During the event, our team shared the vision behind Alg4Nut — exploring innovative ways to harness algal systems for sustainable nutrition — and discussed the strategies and collaborations that will drive us toward our goals.
Further details about the program can be found here.
Handover of funding approval, March 10 th, 2025
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.