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New research center for optobiology: A milestone for Berlin!
Construction of a research center for optobiology at the HU Berlin will begin on August 26, 2025, financed by the federal and state governments.
New research center for optobiology: A milestone for Berlin!
August 26, 2025 is an important day for the Humboldt University of Berlin: With the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Optobiology research building, a new scientific center is being created on the North Campus. The ceremony was attended by, among others, Christian Gaebler, Senator for Urban Development, and Dr. Ina Czyborra, Senator for Science, took part. The President of the HU, Prof. Dr. Julia von Blumenthal, as well as Prof. Dr. Heyo K. Kroemer, CEO of the Charité, was also present and supported this promising project.
The new building is being carried out by the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing. The planned area of around 3,800 square meters is intended to offer state-of-the-art rooms for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. In particular, the interaction between light and biological systems is examined, which could not only open up new diagnostic possibilities but also innovative forms of therapy for the treatment of diseases. The focus of the research will be on topics such as photobiology, microscopy and neurobiological optogenetics.
Financing and construction costs
The financing of the new building amounts to 81.2 million euros, with the federal government and the state of Berlin each covering 67.6 million euros. Nevertheless, both the Humboldt University and the Charité must expect additional costs and are therefore working on savings. The construction period is scheduled to last around four years, with commissioning planned for the winter semester of 2028/29. It should be particularly mentioned that the construction work is taking place near the listed house 16, which will be dismantled by the end of February.
Interdisciplinary collaboration and research priorities
The new center will promote collaboration between scientists from the HU and the Charité to enable cutting-edge research in optobiology. With the aim of strengthening Berlin as a science location, close collaborations with renowned institutions such as the Max Planck Society and the Leibniz Research Institute are also sought. Scientists will work in groups on optobiology, cellular biophysics, crystallization and neurophotonics to develop new technologies.
The research infrastructure is specifically focused on how light influences biological systems, thus enabling applications in various areas such as neuroscience, cardiology, infectiology and regenerative medicine. Peter Hegemann, a renowned neuroscientist who played a key role in the application for the building, emphasizes the importance of such initiatives, which can attract international scientists and further consolidate Berlin as a location.
As part of the construction work, temporary restrictions will be expected on the North Campus; access to the campus has been closed since March 2025. This represents a challenge for the university, but in the long term offers the opportunity to create a unique research environment that attracts both national and international attention.