First centre for biosystems analysis in Germany

For a long time, scientific research carried out in the traditional biological sciences has largely focused on genes or groups of proteins. Now, with new insights gained in genomic and proteomic research and the rapid development in bioinformatics, research is heading in a new direction. Biosystems analysis is the keyword for interdisciplinary science. Following a two-year planning phase co-ordinated by the University’s construction office and with plans drawn by the architects Hascher & Jehle in Berlin, the foundation stone was finally laid for the construction of the new building destined to house the Centre for Biosystems Analysis (ZBSA). With the establishment of the ZBSA, Freiburg clearly underlines its importance as a research and development location in the field of the life sciences.

The non-profit institution is a centre for basic research and expressly promotes interdisciplinary and interfaculty co-operation. The concept of the Centre for Biosystems Analysis was initiated by the life sciences working group at Freiburg University. Co-ordinated by Professor Dr. Wolfgang Driever (Biology I), an advisory board took on the task of developing the future use of the research building.

The total area of 3,300 square meters will house rooms that can be used for joint project work as well as technically sophisticated laboratories such as required by the ZBSA. The ferroconcrete skeleton and the light cement-free separation walls enable the flexible use of the available space. The total estimated costs of the building are €17.87 million. The initial equipment of the offices and laboratories amounts to additional €3.2 million. The construction costs are equally divided between the state of Baden-Württemberg and the federal government as part of university promotion.

It is planned to hand over the building (Hauptstr. 3 in Freiburg) to the relevant life science faculties at the end of 2007. The medical faculty, the mathematics and physics faculty, the faculty for chemistry, pharmacy and earth sciences, the faculty for forestry and environmental sciences as well as the faculty for applied sciences are supporting the foundation of the ZBSA and their scientific projects will certainly contribute to the success of the new centre. The projects will mainly be supported with funds provided by the Ministry of Research or the Ministry of Environmental Affairs.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever
Hauptstraße 1
D-79104 Freiburg
Phone: +49 (0)761 / 203 – 2587
E-mail: zbsa@biologie.uni-freiburg.de