Microbial cultures in Petri dishes, front: Streptomyces lividans

LIFE profile

The Future of LIFE: Understanding, Protecting, Shaping Life
Microbial cultures in Petri dishes, front: Streptomyces lividans
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

About the LIFE profile

The LIFE profile supports existing structures within the main research areas in the life sciences and medicine, which have a long tradition in Jena. At the same time, new and innovative topics are identified and promoted. A high degree of interdisciplinarity within the LIFE profile connects the different faculties of the Friedrich Schiller University and the non-university partners. The application of technical solutions in biological research interlinks the LIGHT and LIFE profiles, whereas social and ethical aspects are explored in connection with the LIBERTY profile.

Research Focal Areas

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Life Sciences with Tradition

Portrait of the founder of ecology Ernst Haeckel

Image: Archiv Hoßfeld

Natural sciences in Jena have a long tradition. Specifically the disciplines botany, ecology and microbiology have a long-standing history in the science location Jena.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the botanist Matthias Jacob Schleiden was the first to describe cells in living plants, and with this became a pioneer of the modern cell theory. His collaborative efforts together with Carl Zeiß and Ernst Abbe built the basis for a lasting and strong connection  between the life sciences and the optical industry in Jena, which still is the driving force for innovations in the ‘science city’.

The term ‘Ecology’ was, in fact, born in Jena. With it, in 1866, the evolution scientist Ernst Haeckel defined a new sub-discipline within biology, which addresses the interactions between organisms and their environment. The chemical basis of such interactions is explored in the field of Chemical Ecology, which also is rooted in Jena by studies of the botanist Ernst Stahl.

The microbiologist Hans Knöll dedicated himself to drug discovery and production, in the early twentieth century. He was particularly interested in the production of penicillin and the tuberculosis vaccine BCG. The BCG institute that he founded in 1950 – later the Central Institute for Microbiology and Experimental Therapy (ZIMET) and now the Hans Knöll Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKIExternal link) – was the first building at the Beutenberg campusExternal link, which is the central location for research and science in Jena today.

The funding program of the LIFE profile

  • Support by LIFE

    The LIFE profile serves as a creative space and facilitator for emerging fields within the life sciences and medicine—acting as a starting point for interdisciplinary collaborations and research initiatives.

    To ensure the continuous development and expansion of existing structures in research and teaching, the profile area LIFE supports researchers with a flexible funding program. Information on funding lines, requirements, application deadlines, and funding modalities can be found here.

    LIFE Funding
    Illustration: Franziska Eberl modified by Dania Rose-Sperling

News

  3. When favourite music awakens memories

    Symposium presents research findings on the use of individualised Music for people with dementia

    • Life
    Favourite music makes dementia patients dance.
    Image: René Schwerdtel (Kummerfeldt-Stiftung & Diakoniestiftung Thüringen)
All short news

LIFE Junior Research Group

  • Junior Research Group Markus Lakemeyer

    External link

    Using chemical biology tools, the Lakemeyer Lab investigates microbial interactions and host–microbe communication, uncovering molecular processes that shape health, disease, and microbial ecosystems.

    Symbolbild Biochemistry
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)

Profile-defining centres

Faculties connected to LIFE

Cooperation partners

Contact

The 12-member coordination team of the profile area LIFE acts as a reporting and strategic body. 
The coordination team is chaired by Prof. Dr Michael Bauer and Prof. Dr Ute Hellmich. In addition, the team is supported by a group of coordinators.

Michael Bauer, Prof. Dr

Spokesperson | LIFE profile
Michael Bauer
Image: Szabó/ UKJ
Jena University Hospital, Department for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
Erlanger Allee 101
07747 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Ute Hellmich, Prof. Dr

Deputy Spokesperson | LIFE profile
Foto Ute Hellmich
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Link to download vCard
vCard

Coordination of the profile areas

LIGHT.LIFE.LIBERTY.

Universitätshauptgebäude, Room 1.21
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena

Mobile phone
+49 3641 9-401106
Link to download vCard
vCard

Opening hours:
nach Vereinbarung