
Final Event of the "Forum Junge Spitzenforschung" Competition Held Yesterday
The competition, organized by the Stiftung Industrieforschung and Humboldt-Innovation GmbH, targets outstanding early-career researchers in Berlin.
A total of six teams were recognized for their application-oriented ideas stemming from innovative basic research in the field of “Food & Nutrients.” The final event was held in cooperation with Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Tackling Global Challenges with Creative Research Ideas
Fresh ideas from the scientific community can provide valuable impulses for addressing the global challenges of our time. Young researchers make a significant contribution with their application-driven research ideas. This year’s competition, focusing on the theme "Food & Nutrients," awarded projects that develop innovative ideas in the agricultural sector or for food security.
The competition offers total prize money of €42,000, intended to support the continuation of the research projects.
TU Team "Gentlemilk" Wins First Place
The following research projects were recognized for their application-oriented concepts:

1st Place (€12,000): "Reduction of the allergenicity of milk proteins - Use of opitimized phenol-rich plant-based raw materials in milk-based beverages" I Dr. Helena Kieserling, Daniel Güterbock | Technical University of Berlin

2nd Place (€10,000): "OptoVAX" I Arkadi Kundik, Ankur Midha I Free University of Berlin

3rd Place (€8,000): "POLLY" I Prof. Dr. Tim Landgraf, Marie Messerich, Ekaterina Melnikova I Free University of Berlin

4th Place (shared):
"Vegan cold cuts made from fermented root vegetables" I Dominik Gaedecke, Isis von Ulardt | Humboldt-University Berlin
"Bugs in Bugs - an optimised feed stuff for mealworms" I Dr. Charlotte Rafaluk-Mohr I Free University of Berlin and Dr. Claudia Keil I Technical University of Berlin
"Seed priming to induce cold stress memory in sugar beet" I Dr. Ahmad Alhariri | Free University of Berlin
Photos: (c) Manfred H. Vogel.