Finance Minister Olaf Scholz visits the Potsdam Science Park

Olaf Scholz emphasized the relevance of research and business locations such as the Potsdam Science Park: “Research and development are central to good jobs and also to our fight against man-made climate change. Here in the region, you can see how things are progressing: with an excellent research and university landscape that ensures innovation. We have to be technologically ahead so that the economy can also run well. This is our greatest responsibility for the generations of tomorrow.”

With Finance Minister Scholz, Brandenburg’s Minister of Science Dr. Manja Schüle and Potsdam’s Mayor Mike Schubert came to the tour of the Potsdam Science Park, which was carried out in subgroups due to the pandemic-related safety precautions.

More space for research-related companies and a growing campus of the University of Potsdam

Together, site manager Agnes von Matuschka and university president Prof. Oliver Günther presented the history and further development of the Potsdam Science Park. Characterized by the University of Potsdam as well as two Fraunhofer and three Max Planck Institutes, the research site in Potsdam-Golm is one of the fastest growing innovation locations in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region.
Olaf Scholz was given an overview of the plans for the further expansion of the Science Park and available settlement areas for research-related companies on the Technology Campus, in the new laboratory and office complexes GO:IN 2 and H-LAB as well as the first buildings of the Neue Mitte Golm, the future district center in Potsdam-Golm.

Site Management Managing Director Agnes von Matuschka emphasized the special pioneering spirit at the site: “There is a spirit of optimism in the Potsdam Science Park. We have a lively and growing community of scientists and entrepreneurs here who dedicate themselves with great energy to the important topics of the future, and we have the great advantage of being able to offer them additional space in the future. From 2021, more than 10,000 square meters of new laboratories and offices will be available for companies and start-ups from the fields of life science, biotechnology, optics, geosciences or big data. They quickly find cooperation partners from research here and, due to the proximity to the university, also skilled workers.”

University President Prof. Oliver Günther: “As a development engine for Brandenburg and the region, the University of Potsdam has always been committed to the rapid transfer of new knowledge and new technologies into practice. The great importance of science for the economic strength of the state is shown by today’s visit by the Federal Minister of Finance, Olaf Scholz, to the Potsdam Science Park.”

Basic research for a more sustainable world

Prof. Peter Fratzl, Managing Director of the Institute and materials researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, who is revolutionizing materials research with his interdisciplinary approach, presented new findings from research on sustainable materials. Among other things, tree bark is already being used as the basis for new types of textiles.
In the laboratory, Olaf Scholz was able to see for himself how modern technical instruments can make the structures of colloids in wood or bone visible on a nanoscale.
Director Prof. Peter H. Seeberger, Head of the Department of Biomolecular Systems, reported on progress in the field of carbohydrate-based vaccines and explained how sugar is being used specifically as a basis for vaccines against resistant hospital germs. To this end, he presented a device for the rapid production of artificial sugar, the basis of which was developed at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces.

Applied Research for Energy Transition and Health

In the third part of the tour, Olaf Scholz visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses division of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI-BB.

Prof. Alexander Böker, Director of Fraunhofer IAP, gave Finance Minister Scholz a comprehensive overview of current research projects, e.g. in the field of Covid-19 research. Here, Fraunhofer IAP deals with protective textiles, drug transport, filters for ventilation systems and rapid tests. On the topic of the energy transition, the latest developments in quantum dots, printed electronics, organic solar cells and brilliant displays were presented, among other things.

Olaf Scholz gained further insight into the diversity of future topics in the Potsdam Science Park at Fraunhofer IZI-BB. Institute Director (Deputy) Dr. Eva Ehrentreich-Förster presented current developments in the field of novel sensor systems that are being developed at the institute. These are able to quickly and flexibly detect pathogens, but also pollutants. In her presentation, Ehrentreich-Förster showed how these sensor systems can be used in patient-oriented diagnostics and therapy support with the support of adequate data transmission and storage, as well as in questions of consumer safety.

 

Voices and quotes on Olaf Scholz’s site visit

“Cutting-edge research and startups are the building blocks for a successful future. The Potsdam Science Park has both elements: excellent scientists and innovative founders. Together, they stand for a prosperous and competitive science and business location. The Potsdam Science Park is home to numerous world-class research institutions. Just last week, Professor Dietrich from the University of Potsdam received the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize. At the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Professor Fratzl and Professor Seeberger are testing energy production, new material compounds and the ingredients of medicines of the future, while Professor Antonietti is revolutionising the electric car. Professor Böker at Fraunhofer IAP is making materials fit for the future. And Dr. Ehrentreich-Förster from the IZI-BB is researching new, forward-looking methods in the field of analytics and diagnostics. They all represent the most innovative science in the world.
Dr. Manja Schüle, Minister of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg

“Our goal is to develop the Potsdam Science Park into an international innovation and research location together with all stakeholders. Building on the existing scientific excellence, we want to create a unique and vibrant environment for innovation and collaboration, an ecosystem for the success of projects, start-ups and companies. The path from the city of science to the city of knowledge transfer – here in Golm, this path is already being taken. We have come a long way, but we have not yet reached our goal. The task is to courageously and consistently pursue the path we have taken in order to make our region fit for the future with cutting-edge research and top products ‘Made in Brandenburg’.”

Mayor Mike Schubert, City of Potsdam

“The Potsdam Science Park is an important location for Brandenburg, where cutting-edge research is carried out for the benefit of all. As a representative of a Max Planck Institute, I can say that the campus radiates all over the world. But the results of our research can also be important in the region – it is enormously important for the future dialogue that current research is made visible.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Peter Fratzl, Managing Director, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPIKG)

“Fraunhofer IAP is pleased about the continuous support of the site and its major projects by the federal and state governments. We are drivers of innovation for companies in the region and the state and support developments in the sustainable circular economy, health research, lightweight construction, energy generation and hydrogen storage as well as bio-based plastics and high-tech fibres with our ideas and projects, which ultimately also benefits structural change in Lusatia.”
Prof. Dr. Alexander Böker, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP

“Especially nowadays, scientists want, can and must make significant contributions to society, and I think it is very important that decision-makers have forward-looking ideas and developments of the research institutes presented to them directly on site and first-hand.”
Dr. Eva Ehrentreich-Förster, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Division IZI-BB

 

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Kontakt
Karen Esser
Referentin PR & Kommunikation
karen.esser@potsdam-sciencepark.de

 

Photo: Olaf Scholz (4th from left) gets an insight into current research projects and developments in the Potsdam Science Park. In the picture: Nico Marquardt – SPD City Member of the State Capital Potsdam, Mike Schubert – Mayor of the State Capital Potsdam, Dr. Manja Schüle – Minister for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg, Agnes von Matuschka – Managing Director of Standortmanagement Golm GmbH in the Potsdam Science Park, Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. – President of the University of Potsdam (from left to right). Copyright: Florian Gaertner/Photothek

The projects of Standortmanagement Golm GmbH in the Potsdam Science Park are co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and with funds from the state of Brandenburg.