Mobile experience world on a tour of Germany

Who is ever given an opportunity to see a laboratory from the inside? Who is able to ask experienced scientists questions and have a discussion with them? Where do visitors get a chance to see, understand and join in all that biotechnology has to offer? For many people, science is so far removed from their day-to-day lives. The mobile experience world BIOTechnikum brings biotechnological research to where it is needed – to the people, on their own doorstep.The double-decker vehicle is the heart of the “BIOTechnikum. Investigate life – design the future” initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Its aim is to inform school pupils, in particular, and the general public about biotechnological research conducted and results achieved in Germany as well as to highlight career opportunities and encourage budding scientists.To enable the initiative to reach interested parties directly, the mobile experience world has been touring since autumn 2008. Travelling the streets of Germany, the roadshow vehicle measures almost 17 metres in length and four metres in height. But it only becomes fully clear just how much innovation and modern technology it contains when it stops for each of its 220 activity days per year. Once it has reached its destination, it will literally unfold to create a world of biotechnology: the outer frame extends upwards to create a second floor, increasing the height of the vehicle to 6.20 metres. Extensions to the side give the vehicle a width of 7.50 metres and a floor area of around one hundred square metres in total. The exterior design will give guests an idea of what awaits them inside. Seven symbols refer to the core research fields of biotechnology: genome and proteome research, nanobiotechnology and glycobiotechnology, health and nutrition, sustainable bioproduction and bionics. How interconnected these disciplines are is underscored by a microscope image of nerve cells, which surrounds the truck in its exhibition state.The ground floor of the mobile experience world BIOTechnikum focuses on the link between biotechnological research and its benefit to people and the environment. State-of-the-art workstations turn this part of the vehicle into a biotechnology laboratory. The discoveries and developments of German researchers in laboratories, and the methods they use, are shown in an exhibition: ways in which biotechnology helps to improve quality of life and protect health, how the environment and resources can be conserved, what new sources of raw materials they help tap and how many job opportunities they offer. The colouring of the theme walls resembles the blue of the open sea – inviting the visitor to delve deeper into this key technology and explore the depths of its wealth of possibilities. Visitors will also be able to consult information boards and terminals and participate in an educational multimedia game, all on a ground floor spanning more than 50 square metres.The top floor, likewise some 50 square metres in size, creates a room for dialogue and communication about all things to do with biotechnological research and application. In the biotech cinema, a projection screen will show films including “Biotechnologie Made in Germany – Chancen für die Medizin” (Biotechnology Made in Germany – Opportunities for Medicine) and “Bionik – Die verborgenen Vorbilder der Natur” (Bionics – Hidden Examples from Nature). A completely different aspect of biotechnology is also conveyed on a large screen by the presentation “Artworks of Life”: the beauty of life from a perspective usually only seen by scientists. Reworked microscope images of microorganisms and biomolecules show, for example, how beautiful mould fungi are or how impressive proteins look – extraordinary insights that the mobile experience world BIOTechnikum offers its visitors.

BIOTechnikum’s technical data at a glance

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