BioInstruments Jena

The network of competence "BioInstruments Jena" has its tradition in the precision mechanics and optics firmly secured in the middle of the 19th century by people such as Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss and Otto Schott. They made Jena world-famous as a city of science and technology. Also the holistic understanding of nature, one in which biology, medicine and physics converge, has very deep roots in Jena. These roots go back to Goethe, the famed poet and natural scientist, who found Jena particularly conducive to the study in medicine and physics. Then there were the biologists Haeckel and Schleiden, two of the most outstanding natural scientists of the last century, whose work marked the birth of modern biology. The academic focal point of the city was and still is the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena (FSU Jena). Its departments of natural science and medicine are a source of stimulation and impetus for biotechnological research in the region. In addition, at the "Beutenberg Campus" two Max-Planck-Institutes (Institute for Biogeochemistry (BGC), Institute for Chemical Ecology (ICE)), the Fraunhofer Institute Applied Optics and Precision Mechanics (IOF), the HANS-KNÖLL-Institute for Natural Products Research e.V. (HKI), the Institute for Molecular Biotechnology e.V. (IMB) and the Institute for Physical High Technology e.V. (IPHT), close by to the University of Applied Sciences of Jena (FH Jena), research with its focal points in the traditions of Jena as well as in new fields like biotechnology takes place.

The traditional mainstays of the Jena region’s economy have not changed: glass, pharmaceuticals, and opto-electronic components and systems, with a strong emphasis on equipment and instrument manufacturing. Major firms such as Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, JENOPTIK AG, SCHOTT JENAer Glas GmbH and Jenapharm GmbH & Co. KG form a strong foundation for economic growth. Besides these major corporations, a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises have sprung up in recent years, primarily in the field of advanced precision instruments and biotechnology.

The specific forte of the region is the close linkage of research, development and production, i.e. analysis, synthesis and testing processes are investigated at the university, developed together with the extra-university institutes and manufacturers, brought into products by Carl Zeiss Jena, JENOPTIK and its subsidiary companies, spin offs as well as small and medium sized enterprises, tested in the university clinical institutes, applied at Jenapharm and sold world wide. Complete innovation cycles, which adjust research and development to the changing markets, are organised in the region.

This close link is, in accordance with the economic and scientific traditions of Jena, the basis on which the network of competence and its function is organised.

The concept "BioInstruments Jena" has been worked out by actors from economy and science. The regional strengthes were strongly focussed on following core competence:

• Cellular and molecular technologies
  
• Individual treatment and drug targeting
  
• Biomaterials
  
• Instrumentation, automation, miniaturisation, sensor technology
  
• learning organisation

This present concept is currently rewised to include the actual developments in the field of "bioinstrumentation".

Powered by the function of the network young scientists are prompted to establish high-tech-companies. 28 start-up’s within the last 3 years are evidence of the jut out standing of the technology region of Jena with its specific competences.

Press releases

Further Information: www.bioinstrumente-jena.de/