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Collaborative Research Centre 1357 Microplastics

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Interview Dr Martin Löder

BR article, radio and TV report about the CRC 1357 Microplastics

"Worrying": The hunt for microplastics in Roten Main - In March, many volunteers go to the riverbanks in Franconia to collect rubbish. The University of Bayreuth's Collaborative Research Centre for Microplastics takes care of the very small pieces. The students and scientists also make a find in the Red Main.(BR, 14.03.2024)

See the report from BR here:

Prof Laforsch

Article in Nordbayrische Kurier: We have to do better with plastic

In an interview with Ute Eschenbacher, Prof Laforsch reports on current research: why microplastics are not just microplastics, why fishing out microplastics in the waters cannot be a solution, what solutions he sees for the future of plastic use and what we can do about the general microplastic pollution. (Nordbayerischer Kurier .08.03.2024)

Link to Norbayrischer Kurier:

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BR quer: how much does a ban on glitter achieve?

Show dance groups, nail studios and craft enthusiasts will have to do without certain glitter products. Since mid-October, there has been an EU-wide ban on the sale of certain cosmetics and loose glitter. Disposable cardboard straws and plastic lids that stick to the bottle are also intended to alleviate the problem of plastic waste. (BR, 02.11.2023)

Watch the video from BR here:

Dre Forscher und eine Forscherin nehmen eine Wasserprobe aus dem Roten Main.

Arte RE:  Mikroplastik auf der Spur | Die Jäger der unsichtbaren Teilchen

The reportage series "Re:" tells people's stories - authentically and up close. This episode is about microplastic: where does it come from and more importantly, how dangerous is it for us and our environment? Directors Karsten Schwanke and Peter Prestel talked to Prof. Christian Laforsch, Prof. Seema Agarwal and PhD students from the Collaborative Research Centre Microplastics at the University of Bayreuth as well as physicians from the University of Erlangen and the start-up Ecofario.

Click here for the full version of the video (in German).


BR: Unkraut das Umweltmagazin - Microplastics in our waters. An invisible danger for humans and the environment.


Several researchers report on their research on microplastics. Prof. Christian Laforsch, spokesperson of the CRC1357 Microplastics, will speak on the topic "What microplastics do to our health". Also present is Ecofario, a company that has developed a technology for filterless filtration of microplastics in sewage algae.

Click here for the full version of the video (in German).


Moritz Lehmann in the Finding Genius Podcast: "Modeling The Microplastic Air and Water Exchange Phenomena and the Dangers of Microplastic Mobility"

Computer models can be used to better understand the origin and spread of microplastics and develop new solutions to stop them. What makes microplastics so dangerous? Their ability to spread so quickly makes them almost impossible to prevent. Listen and learn more: how microplastics spread, why microplastics can be aerosolised and how modelling air and water exchange phenomena can lead to new insights.

Click here for the full version of the Podcast.


3sat WissenHoch2: Hazardous waste - hidden dumpsites of the municipalities


Until the 1970s, every municipality dumped its waste wherever there was space. Even today, it is often unclear exactly what waste is dumped where. How do we deal with these dumps and what are the consequences of the waste? The SFB Microplastics supported the research of author Michael Nieberg with expertise on the topic of microplastics. Prof. Eva Lehndorff and Gerasimos Gkoutselis were also involved.

Click here for the full version of the video (in German).


Radio interview with Prof. Dr. Laforsch on the german plastic bag ban that came into force on 1 January 2021

The plastic bag ban is about the lightweight plastic carrier bags. Particularly sturdy reusable bags and the thin plastic bags you find in the fruit and vegetable section in the supermarket are exempt. In his opinion, the plastic bag ban is a first step in the right direction, but one should move towards not using disposable products in general, says the expert. He criticises the alternative paper bag, because it has an even worse ecological footprint than plastic bags.

Click here for the full version of the interview (in German).


Prof. Laforsch bei SiblersDenkRäumen

Prof. Dr. Laforsch in dialogue with Science Minister Sibler
Topic: Plastic - hazardous substance or problem solver?

The new podcast episode of "Siblers DenkRäumen" with Prof. Christian Laforsch, speaker of the CRC 1357 Microplastic is online!
How did Prof. Laforsch come to the research topic of microplastics? What are the dangers of microplastics for our health? What would he wish for if he had 3 wishes? What can we do as consumers? The result is an exciting and entertaining podcast! Have fun listening!

Click here for the full version of the podcast (in German).


Albumcover Mushroom Revival Podcast

Mushroom Revival Podcast 09.11.2021: Plastic Eating Funghi

Some fungi eat plastic. Could this be a solution to plastic waste?  While plastic-eating fungi offer a compelling approach to plastic pollution, there is more to the story. On today’s show, we are addressing a long awaited topic on the interaction between fungi and plastic materials. From mycoremediation and degradation, microplastics, polymer science and ecological observations.

Guests are the four PhD students of the SFB 1357 Microplastics Yuanhu Zhang (Macromolecular Chemistry II), Julia Möller (Animal Ecology I), Stephan Rohrbach (Institute of Microbiology, University of Leipzig) and Gerasimos Gkoutselis (Mycology).

Click here for the full version of the podcast.


ARD Alpha: Schwanke meets Science - Lake Constance and the plastic


Karsten Schwanke brings cutting-edge research in Germany to life. Plastic - or more precisely microplastic - is becoming an ever greater problem for our nature. The particles are so small that they are barely visible to the naked eye - and they are everywhere: in the air, in the rain, in the water and on the earth. Microplastics are created when we wash our clothes, when we drive our cars, when we cut them with a knife. With Christian Laforsch, he explores the question of how dangerous microplastics are for organisms. (In German).

Click here for the full version of the video.


3Sat Nano: Compost and lots of plastic

1 gram of plastic may be contained in 1 kilogram of dry compost. Do we really want that? What do ecologists like Christian Laforsch think about this and what does this mean for the people who produce the valuable material "compost" from biowaste? Editor Michael Nieberg visit the University of Bayreuth to talk with Christian Laforsch about this important topic.

Click here for the full version of the video.


ALDEBARAN Hamburg: Elbe Expedition 2021, Day 10

On day 10, four PhD students from the CRC Microplastics visited the Aldebaran crew at the Elbe Expedition 2021 to talk about their research. Among other things, they used exhibits to show the decomposition time of plastic. Matthias Völkl is investigating the effects and behaviour of microplastics at the cellular level. Simon Wieland is researching the cellular interaction of microplastics and is investigating whether microplastic particles can bind to e.g. immune cells. What ultimately leads to their uptake into the cell, and thus into the organism? Nora Meides and Teresa Menzel are working on the formation and degradation of secondary microplastics under simulated environmental influences. (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


WDR: Türen auf 2021 mit der Maus Tag "Mikroplastik Forschung"

Trailer for the "Türen auf mit der Maus Tag 2021". On Sunday 3rd October 2021, the Collaborative Research Centre for Microplastics, together with the team from the Ecological Botanical Garden, has prepared exciting actions for preschoolers and primary schoolers. The video gives some insight into what to expect at the "Türen auf 2021" at the University of Bayreuth. (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


hr: alles wissen

The magazine "alles wissen" was about compostable packaging, innovative recycling, hazardous plasticisers and microplastics in aquatic exosystems. From the Collaborative Research Centre 1357 Microplastics you will find contributions from Ruth Freitag, Martin Löder, Julian Brehm and Christian Laforsch. (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


11th Science Talk: "Where does it come from? Where is it in? Is it making us sick? And how do we get rid of it?"

As part of the 11th Science Talks of the "Berchtesgadener Land Schülerforschungszentrum", young people and anyone else interested had the opportunity to get in touch with Christian Laforsch via Zoom and ask their questions about microplastics. The conversation and discussion was moderated by Dr. Stefan Lebernegg. A great format to bring students and scientists in touch! (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


ARD: W wie Wissen "How dangerous are microplastics?"

W wie Wissen is reporting about plastic waste in the kitchen, 30 years of the yellow bag, recycling and bioplastics. Sabine Frühbuss and her camera team visited Anja Ramsperger in the laboratory and interviewed Christian Laforsch about the current state of research in the field of microplastics. The video explains the recent Science Advances study and the observed effect of the eco-corona. (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


BR: Gut zu Wissen "Was Mikroplastik in Gewässern bewirkt"

A very worthwhile contribution on the topic of microplastics. The report by Jan Kerckhoff and his team did a great job of dealing with the complex issue of microplastics and also made clear what research is still needed! Martin Löder shows field sampling in the "Roter Main". Christian Laforsch and Julian Brehm discuss how mussels behave when microplastics in the water becomes a stress factor. (Video is in German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


Bruker: Meeting Microplastic Experts | FT-IR Microscopy | Microplastics Analysis

The Bruker team Simon Schlindwein and Eric Klein visited us, the Collaborative Research Center Microplastics, at the end of the test phase of the FT-IR LUMOS II. They interviewed our microplastics experts Martin Löder and Julia Möller about the challenges in microplastics analytics.

Click here for the full version of the video.


ZDF: WISO "Mikroplastik in Kosmetik"

Cosmetic products use microparticles made of polyethylene (PE) to optimize the cream's film-forming properties and to control its viscosity. Both properties are optimized to satisfy consumer demands regarding consistency and the "soft feeling" during creaming. After drying and washing these microparticles will be released into our environment. Does this massively harm our environment? Unfortunately, there is not yet a clear answer to this question. If and how microplastics harm ecosystems is part of the CRC1357 research. (Video is in German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


BR: "Unser Land"

Plastic debris of agricultural mulch- and cover foils as well as used and broken irrigation pipes in nature cause trouble between Regensburg and Straubing. Anita Bach's contribution in the program "Unser Land" broadcasted by Bayerischer Rundfunk draws attention to very careless handling of plastic waste in the environment. It also forwards the wish of the citizens to introduce legal regulations to protect the environment. (Video is in German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


WDR: Markt "Plastics in the field"

Herbert Kordes and the film team of the WDR have brought a soil sample from a field to the University of Bayreuth. Christian Laforsch, Martin Löder and Julia Möller analyzed the soil sample regarding macro- and microplastics. An exciting tv contribution that shows that far more microplastics can be found in soils than previously thought. (Video is in German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


BR Podcast RADIOWISSEN: Microplastics - A hopeless fight.

Microplastics are tiny and everywhere: wind and water cause the small parts to spread quickly and can reach even the most remote places on earth. The long-term effects have hardly been researched so far. In this podcast Christian Laforsch talks with Claudia Steiner about this topic.

Click here for the Podcast (in German).



BR quer

Bayerischer Rundfunk: quer mit Christoph Süß

For the contribution "Sauerei auf dem Feld" (mess in the field) for the program quer with Christoph Süß the film team of the Bayerischer Rundfunk filmed in the animal ecology of the University of Bayreuth how microplastics are isolated and analyzed from soil samples. (Video is in German).

Click here for the full version of the video.


DFG-Exkurs: Microplastics in the environment, Munich

On 12 February 2020 Christian Laforsch took part in the DFG event "Exkurs - Insights into the world of science of the German Research Foundation (DFG)". In the state library of his home town Munich, he talked about "microplastics in the environment - small particles, big impact". (English subtitles on YouTube available).

Click here for the full version of the video.


BBC Interview: 8th Chemical Sciences and Society Summit, London

Can plastic straws be forbidden? Can plastic really be biodegradable? What are polymer- and environmental chemists currently working on? A group of experts from the four major chemical societies China, Japan, the UK and Germany are discussing that with BBC environmental reporter Laura Foster. Prof. Andreas Greiner, vice speaker of the CRC 1357 Microplastics, from the University of Bayreuth and his colleagues Prof. Xianhong Wang, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry from China, Prof. Charlotte Williams, the University of Oxford from England and Prof. Toshiaki Yoshioka, Tohoku University from Japan also participated in the discussion.

                                             Click here for the full version of the video.


DFG bewegt: #fürdasWissen

Christian Laforsch also made a statement on behalf of the DFG and explained what #fürdasWissen means to him. Visit www.dfg2020.de for more statements and information about DFG2020.

Click here for the full version of the video.


DAAD research marketing event, Athens, Greece

Together with the Hellenic Open University (HOU) in Athens, the DAAD organized a joint event on the subject of microplastics and thus provided an insight into Germany as a research location. Also some great advertising for the research location Bayreuth. Those who couldn’t attend can watch the event on YouTube.

Click here for the full version of the video.


3sat nano spezial: German Environmental Award 2019

Soil research for climate protection and plastic recycling for cleaning agents - this year's German Environmental Award 2019 of the DBU goes to a scientist and an entrepreneur. The award winners are presented in this video. As connecting theme 3sat visited the animal ecology of the University of Bayreuth and filmed how Julia Möller and Christian Laforsch are isolating and analyzing microplastics from soil samples. (Video is in German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


NDR: Tricks of the plastic industry

The amount of plastic we are surrounded by becomes particularly clear when we go shopping. The goods in supermarkets are mostly packed in plastic, which is supposed to keep the food fresh and clean. 4.5 million packages were produced in Germany alone in 2018. With far-reaching consequences for people and the environment, as market presenter Jo Hiller and author Sara Rainer show.

Click here for the full version of the video.


DLD Campus 2019: Plastics - from a problem solver to a problem

Apart from climate change, hardly any other topic in recent months has moved us as much as plastic waste in the world's oceans and the detection of microplastics in local waters and our food chain. Christian Laforsch's research is interested in the formation and effects of microplastics. At the DLD Campus 2019, he gives insights into his current work and presents approaches to solve this environmental problem. (English subtitles on YouTube available)

Click here for the full version of the video.


ZDF Planet e: Vermüllt und verseucht - Böden in Gefahr

Plastic waste is a worldwide problem and the demand for plastics is increasing more and more. What happens to plastic waste? How dangerous is it for our environment and health? (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


Biotopia: Plastics - From problem solver to problem

Plastic: blessing or curse? Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch from the Department of Animal Ecology at the University of Bayreuth speaks at the Biotopia Hautnah-Fest about the burning issue of plastic disposal and what consequences plastic waste can have on our environment. (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


ARD Alpha Campus Talks: Does plastic waste make us ill?

Plastic waste is a worldwide problem and the demand for plastics is increasing more and more. What happens to plastic waste? How dangerous is it for our environment and health? (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.


BR: Is the state capitulating to the plastic flood

We Germans are proud to be pioneers in waste separation - and we tend to forget that we are also the European leaders in packaging waste. Why is it so difficult to get plastic waste under control? (In German)

Click here for the full version of the video.




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