What happens to residues of carbonic nanoparticles after their disposal? What natural processes take place until woodland regenerates after a storm, such as “Kyrill”? What unknown trace substances are environmentally relevant for our drinking water, rivers, oceans and soil?
Questions like this show that our environment has a complex structure. For this reason, many fields of research, such as chemistry, biology, sociology, pedagogy, economics and engineering do groundwork in modern environmental research. The emphasis of this field of research is on the interactions between humans and their environment. The Institute for Environmental Research at the RWTH Aachen University ranks among the leading institutes of its kind in Germany.
The effect of chemicals and complex environmental samples on living nature – from genes to ecosystems – as well as the underlying mechanisms of action are analysed by means of test organisms, such as cell cultures, yeasts and bacteria. During the tests, effects such as gene mutation, dioxin-like effectiveness or endocrine disruption are documented, analysed and assessed with regard to their toxicity, and the risk potential for the environment is projected.
Several Memmert incubators are almost permanently in use at the institute. Inside the CO2 incubator INCOmed, tests are carried out at 37 °C, with 5 % CO2 and at a higher level of air humidity. In addition, CO2 incubators are used for the growth incubation of cell lines. Inside the cooled incubator IPP, bacteriological tests are carried out at a constant temperature of 37 °C, whereas yeast tests are carried out at 30 °C.
Prof. Dr. Henner Hollert, one of the two heads of the institute, considers the fact that Memmert CO2 incubators are easy to clean to be a decisive advantage. The programme for sterilising the interior, including all installations and sensors, significantly supports work under sterile conditions – especially concerning cell cultures with mammal cell lines. In addition, the special opening in the glass door allows the user to control the CO2 sensors with external measurement technology without affecting the CO2 concentration.
