Greifswald launches multi-million dollar research into carbon sequestration in the ocean

Greifswald launches multi-million dollar research into carbon sequestration in the ocean

The special research center “CONCENTRATE” will start at the University of Greifswald on October 3, 2025, with funding of 11 million euros from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for the years 2025 to 2029. This grant is the highest awarded in the nationwide application process. The approval underlines the importance of research in this area and shows the strategic strength of the University of Greifswald, which has already acquired the “WETSCAPES 2.0” special research areas in peatland research together with the University of Rostock.

Science Minister Bettina Martin praised the successes of these research alliances and the associated collaborations. CONCENTRATE aims to investigate the role of marine sugars in carbon storage in the oceans. Several well-known institutions are working together on the project, including the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen and the Technical University of Berlin.

Research priorities and collaboration

The project focuses on the interactions between microorganisms and their influence on CO₂ storage in the marine environment. In collaboration with the University of Bremen, the role of sugar polymers from sea algae is being analyzed in particular. These studies could have far-reaching implications for our understanding of carbon sequestration, as previously unknown stability factors prevent complete degradation of glycans by marine bacteria.

An interdisciplinary approach is of central importance here. Laboratory experiments and measurements in natural marine habitats are intended to help us better understand molecular and microbiological processes. The focus is on the stability of glycans in the light-flooded surface ocean, with a period ranging from days to years being considered.

Goals and expectations

The main goal of the research program is to understand the interactions between algae, bacteria, fungi, glycans and proteins. This could help identify mechanisms that protect glycans from degradation. Such findings could not only contribute to the reduction of CO₂, but also lead to biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications for algae sugar.

The subprojects at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, “A4 STRESS” and “A7 PREY”, complement the research of the Collaborative Research Center. Project “A4 STRESS” investigates the structure of bacterial extracellular protective glycans and their role in carbon binding. In contrast, “A7 PREY” aims to shed light on the seasonal dynamics of interactions between bacteria, viruses and algae and better understand their influence on the carbon cycle.

The Ministry of Science is supporting the DFG funding with an additional 250,000 euros from the European Regional Development Fund to provide the necessary laboratory equipment. With the funding commitment, the University of Greifswald secures a place in the inner circle of research on marine carbon storage and recognizes the urgency of researching the future of the oceans in relation to climate change and environmental change.

To further shed light on the role of the oceans as a climate buffer and carbon sink, research into marine sugar molecules is crucial and could be of enormous importance at both national and international levels. Scientists like Prof. Dr. Thomas Schweder from the University of Greifswald and Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Hehemann from the University of Bremen is at the forefront of this important research.

Overall, the opening of the SFB “CONCENTRATE” marks a significant step in marine research that could positively impact not only the scientific community but also society as a whole by helping to achieve the climate goals of a more sustainable future.