Institute of Ecological Chemistry (IOEC)

With its broad range of activities, the Institute of Ecological Chemistry (IEC) acts as the interface between the naturally and artificially altered environment and human health. The IEC is distinguished by the strong links between its highly developed analytics and the scientific issues of chemical biology and ecotoxicology. It thus provides a strong bridge between environmental and health-based areas of research.

It is well known that both impurities and natural substances can have an influential effect on the metabolism of living systems in the field of ultra traces. Beyond the reliable proof that such substances can be found in the environment and in organisms, molecular interaction with living systems and the changes in the system performance linked to it is especially important, through to possible human diseases. Metabolomic biomarkers for early identification of impaired functions are created for selected bio(geo)-systems and system sections and preventive strategies developed to avoid dysfunctions.

The Biogeochemistry and Analytics Department characterizes complex biological and biochemical materials and systems with high resolution spectroscopic techniques and separation processes. Statistical methods of data processing and visualization of these comprehensive data sets enable a description of basic ecosystem processes and the genesis and development of diseases with molecular resolution. The research focuses of the Cooperation Group for the Analytics of Complex Molecular Systems are based on the topics of programme-oriented research in the EH field. One important area of investigation is health-related environmental analysis, in which the focus lies particularly on research into the health effects of fine dust and aerosols. These activities are conducted as part of the NanoHealth Project in close cooperation with research groups working in epidemiology and toxicology at the Centre. In the area of Comprehensive Molecular Profiling, work is being done on characterizing complex molecular systems in biological matrices and in environmental analysis. For this purpose multidimensional chromatographic/mass-spectrometric techniques of analysis and chemometric data analysis tools are used. Activities in the project area of analytical methodology development focus on the development of methods, processes and technologies in medical and environmental analytics and in bioanalytics and they are directly linked with Analytical Methodology Development at the University of Rostock.

The Institute and its analytical and system-oriented competences are available to the entire Centre for cross-institutional, jointly developed research approaches. In addition, work is constantly being carried out to further develop available analytical methods and experimental approaches that are only applicable to upcoming issues and that open up new areas of research.

Project leaders are K.-W. Schramm, R. Zimmermann, P. Krämer, B. Michalke and P. Schmitt-Kopplin.

 

Research groups and units

1. Behavior and bioavailability of chemicals
    Head: Dr. S. Schulte-Hostede
    Principal investigator: PD Dr. P. Krämer

2. Ecotoxicological risk assessment in the environment
    Head and principal investigator: Prof. Dr. K.-W. Schramm

3. Atmospheric pollutants and human health
    Head and principal investigator: Dr. M. Kirchner    

4. Cooperation Group for the Analytics of Complex Molecular Systems
Aerosol characterisation
    Head: Prof. Dr. R. Zimmermann
    Principal investigators: Dr. J. Schnelle-Kreis, Dr. E. Karg

5. Department Molecular BioGeoChemistry and Analytics
    Head: PD Dr. P. Schmitt-Kopplin
    Principal investigator: Dr. N. Hertkorn

    Trace elements and trace element speciation in environmental samples
    Head and principal investigator: Prof. Dr. B. Michalke

    Central Inorganic Analysis Service
    Head and principal investigator: Prof. Dr. B. Michalke