photo by Sheila Brown

Our areas of activity



Research

Scientific research at the interface between biology and chemistry from a physico-chemical point of view is the central activity of our research institute. We aim to answer questions ranging from which are the fundamental interactions and processes that are involved in biological systems to the question of what life itself is. For this purpose we investigate different aspects of complex self-organizing chemical systems that already show some properties of life.

Our approach is to understand the systems within their physico-chemical context by not looking only on the different processes involved but by also trying to understand how all of them together lead to the phenomena we observe.

For more details about our research click here.		  





Public Engagement

We have been actively participating in various scientific events for the general public for many years. This not only helps us to better understand our research, but also enables other people from different fields, backgrounds and age groups to understand what we do, why we do it and how our research can be relevant also in a societal context.

For more details about our activities in scientific events click here.		  





Humanities

It is our understanding that all observable phenomena must also be discussed in the context of philosophical discourses. The questions ‘What is life?’, ‘What is self-organisation?’ or ‘What is emergence?’, for example, cannot be answered by biology, physics and chemistry alone. We are looking for answers to these questions in a wider context that also includes the humanities.
Another aspect that motivates us to include the humanities is the historical context of the various fields of research. One can only fully understand a branch of science if one looks at it in relation to all other branches and in its historical context. A holistic understanding of chemistry, for example, is only possible if one also learns about its alchemical roots, which are closely linked to other fields such as biology and physics.

For more details about our activities in this area click here.		  



Our areas of activity

Research

 
Scientific research at the interface between biology and chemistry from a physico-chemical point of view is the central activity of our research institute. We aim to answer questions ranging from which are the fundamental interactions and processes that are involved in biological systems to the question of what life itself is. For this purpose we investigate different aspects of complex self-organizing chemical systems that already show some properties of life.

Our approach is to understand the systems within their physico-chemical context by not looking only on the different processes involved but by also trying to understand how all of them together lead to the phenomena we observe.

For more details about our research click here.



Public Engagement

We have been actively participating in various scientific events for the general public for many years. This not only helps us to better understand our research, but also enables other people from different fields, backgrounds and age groups to understand what we do, why we do it  and how our research can be relevant also in a societal context.

For more details about our activities in scientific events click here.



Humanities

It is our understanding that all observable phenomena must also be discussed in the context of philosophical discourses. The questions ‘What is life?’, ‘What is self-organisation?’ or ‘What is emergence?’, for example, cannot be answered by biology, physics and chemistry alone. We are looking for answers to these questions in a wider context that also includes the humanities.
Another aspect that motivates us to include the humanities is the historical context of the various fields of research. One can only fully understand a branch of science if one looks at it in relation to all other branches and in its historical context. A holistic understanding of chemistry, for example, is only possible if one also learns about its alchemical roots, which are closely linked to other fields such as biology and physics.

For more details about our activities in this area click here.