This project enables access to scientific high-end equipment such as a CryoEM and NMR and facilitates the exchange of expertise and personnel between the two countries. In June 2023, Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, personally introduced the H2-Lab and experienced the joint research. Supporting the activities in RESOLV, the expansion of the H2-Lab will provide more in-depth research into biochemical reactions and catalysts and the influence of solvents on these in the upcoming years.
Joint Lab Explores Biohydrogen Production
Since 2018, there has been an International Joint Lab with Osaka University at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at RUB. The Japanese research presence is conducting research here together with the German partners under the main topic "Structural analysis of the photosynthetic energy transduction for light-driven biohydrogen production by artificial cell". Under its university-wide cooperation agreement, RUB has five exchange places with Osaka University, which are in high demand. The targeted involvement of students in international research contexts is intended to initiate and consolidate lasting cooperation structures.
Cutting-edge technologies for green hydrogen
In this context, the Photobiotechnology Group is establishing a research laboratory at Osaka University's Institute of Protein Research called “H2-Lab” since 2022. It will benefit from the expertise in state-of-the-art structure elucidation technologies to characterize and optimize biofuel cells and biocatalysts. To this end, infrastructural conditions for intensive networking of the groups with regard to their scientifically complementary methods and instruments are currently created in Osaka. The world's largest third-generation synchrotron as well as NMR and CryoEM equipment are available there. By using these technologies, German scientists can advance the development of biofuel cells at the highest level and develop cutting-edge technologies on the topic of "green hydrogen".
RESOLV Scientist Guides international Politicians through the H2-Lab
In 2023 the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, and the rector of RUB, Martin Paul, met the respective university directors for exchange in Japan. In Osaka, the delegation visited the “German-Japanese Laboratory for Structure Elucidation for the Development of Biofuel Cells” (H2-Lab). This is a joint research project between RESOLV Scientist Prof. Dr. Thomas Happe (Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at Ruhr-University) and Prof. Dr. Genji Kurisu from the Institute of Protein Research (IPR) at Osaka University.