Press Releases CRC 1357 Microplastics

Released 18.01.2021 - © iStock
Teacher training on microplastics: How distance learning on current research topics can succeed
Cutting-edge research and distance learning - the University of Bayreuth is bringing these two topics together. Next Wednesday, the Centre for Teacher Education at University of Bayreuth is organizing an online training course for high school teachers on the topic of microplastics. This will not only bring the latest research results from experts in the field of research into the classroom. There will also be aids for distance teaching.

Released 16.12.2020 - © iStock/JackF
Bayreuth study: the most consumed species of mussels contain microplastics all around the world
"If you eat mussels, you eat microplastics." This was already known to a limited extent about mussels from individual ocean regions. A new study by the University of Bayreuth, led by Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch, reveals that this claim holds true globally. The Bayreuth team investigated the microplastic load of four mussel species which are particularly often sold as food in supermarkets from twelve countries around the world. The scientists now present their research results in the journal "Environmental Pollution".
- Press Release UBT
- Open Access Environmental Pollution
- News Article Yale Environment 360
- News Article New Food Magazin
- News Article Science Daily
University of Bayreuth Study: Natural environmental conditions facilitate the uptake of microplastics into living cells
The environment is polluted by microplastics worldwide. Tiny particles enter food chains, and thereby the digestive systems of animals and humans; moreover, they can be inhaled. Instead of being excreted, small microplastics can be incorporated into the body tissue. A research team at the University of Bayreuth has now discovered that microplastic particles find their way into living cells more easily if they were exposed to natural aquatic environments, i.e. fresh water and seawater. The researchers have presented their results in the journal "Science Advances".

Released 03.06.2020 - © RSC
Sustainable plastics: University of Bayreuth researchers contribute to international White Paper
Researchers of the University of Bayreuth have taken a leading role in developing a White Paper on sustainable plastics, which four chemical associations from Germany, the UK, China, and Japan published today under the title "Science to enable sustainable plastics". The White Paper contains numerous recommendations for future research into the environmental impact of plastics, the development of new plastics, as well as recyclability and natural degradation.
- White Paper "Science to enable sustainable plastics"
- Press Release UBT Sustainable Plastics
- Press Release Royal Society of Chemistry Sustainable Plastics

Released 24.02.2020 - © UBT
Microplastics in the focus of science and art: Bayreuther Stadtgespräch on 4 March 2020
Professor Dr. Christian Laforsch and the South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi will talk at the "Bayreuther Stadtgespräch" at the Iwalewahaus in Bayreuth since when they have been dealing with microplastics and plastic waste, what drives them personally to pursue their research and art with passion and why they want to sensibilise us to the topics of sustainability and environmental protection. The title of the talk is: "The plastic age: Unobjective reports on the topic of microplastics unsettle consumers. What researchers really (don't) know and forward-looking solutions."

Released 18.02.2020 - © UBT
„Science meets art“: Public event in Bayreuth with Mbongeni Buthelezi
The South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi has been invited to Bayreuth for the international kick-off event of the Collaborative Research Centre "Microplastics". From 27 February to 4 March 2020, interested parties can meet and get to know researchers of the SFB and the artist at various public events.
- Press Release UBT Science meets Art (in German)
- Beitrag BR24 (in German)
- Beitrag Nordbayerischer Kurier (in German)

Released 14.02.2020 - © Sabine Greiner
Press talk with Mbongeni Buthelezi
At the invitation of the Collaborative Research Centre "Microplastics", the Cluster of Excellence "Africa Multiple", the Iwalewahaus and the Freundeskreis Iwalewahaus e.V., the South African artist Mbongeni Buthelezi will be a guest at the University of Bayreuth over the next few weeks. At a press briefing on Monday, 17 February 2020, 11.00 a.m., Iwalewahaus, the upcoming public events and the possibilities for media coverage will be presented.

Released 25.03.2019 - © wwf
In 100 places at the same time: Microplastics expert from the University of Bayreuth in Livestream – discussion by WWF and VHS
"How do we stop the plastic flood?" is the title of an interactive lecture event offered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Germany and the German Adult Education Association (VHS) with Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch, holder of the Chair of Animal Ecology at the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences at the University of Bayreuth. On-site at the Bayreuth VHS and via Livestream in more than 100 VHS at the same time, viewers can actively participate and ask their questions directly to the experts on 27 March 2019.

Released 26.11.2018
High-End Science: New Collaborative Research Centre for the University of Bayreuth
Today the University of Bayreuth has one more reason to celebrate: The German Research Foundation (DFG) is to install a new Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) at the University of Bayreuth. The CRC will research the effects of microplastic, including its migration and formation, and develop new approaches to solving this immense environmental problem. Over the next four years, the DFG will fund the CRC with more than 10 million euros.
- Press Release UBT: High End Science
- News Article Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German)
- News Article Nordbayerischer Kurier 26.11.2018 (in German)
- News Article Nordbayerischer Kurier 04.12.2018 (in German)