“BIOTechnikum. Investigate life – design the future”
“BIOTechnikum. Investigate life – design the future” – with this initiative the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is bringing biotechnology closer to the people, in the truest sense of the word. This campaign, as part of the Federal Government’s High-Tech Strategy, has been travelling the length and breadth of Germany since autumn 2008 to supply information on the latest biotechnological research conducted and results achieved in Germany as well as to highlight career opportunities and encourage budding scientists. The central information and dialogue platform for this venture is the mobile experience world BIOTechnikum, a double-decker vehicle containing, among other things, a complete laboratory infrastructure accompanied by a multi-media exhibition. This enables the initiative to create room, at various events, for dialogue about one of the key technologies of the 21st century.Biotechnology is not just one of the most dynamic branches of science and one of the most innovative sectors of business, it also affects every one of us in our everyday lives, whether in health and nutrition, in agriculture or in production and conservation. It is therefore these three worlds that, together with an overview of the structure and vocational fields of biotechnology in Germany, form the core themes of the initiative “BIOTechnikum. Investigate life – design the future”. It demonstrates the connection between research, on the one hand, and the development of new products and procedures, on the other, along biotechnological value chains. It will be aimed particularly at school pupils, budding scientists, the general public and companies with an affinity for biotechnology.To enable the initiative to reach this target audience directly with issues and offers relating to its information campaign, the mobile experience world BIOTechnikum is touring Germany. This double-decker exhibition vehicle will be calling at such venues as schools, universities, research institutes, science nights, trade fairs and other major events.On the ground floor, visitors will be able to try their hand at research in a biotechnology lab practical under the guidance of scientists accompanying the project and, for example, extract the building block of life, DNA, from peas or generate electricity from yeast. Hands-on science is also the name of the game in the exhibition, which will explain the fundamental principles, vocational fields, research areas and applications of biotechnology. In addition to theme walls, the exhibition also features multimedia information terminals and exhibits enabling a varied and individual approach to this key technology. The top floor in turn offers a forum for dialogue during open days, guided exhibition visits, workshops, lectures and discussions or information events relating to the BMBF initiative.Its offerings are accompanied by, among other things, a campaign flyer and a brochure providing details about “BIOTechnikum” as well as a clear and straightforward explanation of the basics of biotechnology. More information on the initiative can also be found online at www.biotechnikum.eu: on this campaign website, young people can discover training and study opportunities involving biotechnology, interested parties can view upcoming stops on the tour and event organisers can submit requests for a visit from the mobile experience world. All offerings in relation to “BIOTechnikum. Investigate life – design the future” are free to visitors.