Areas of Research

1. Professor Marwan,
   Molecular Network Analysis
   The behavior of a cell in terms of differentiation, growth, and motility is controlled by networks of interacting biomolecules which are robust but nevertheless responsive to all kind of signals coming from outside or originating from the inner life of the cell. The Molecular Network Analysis Group explores new ways to determine the structure of such networks and to understand their function. In order to consider networks of different levels of molecular complexity, we analyze two biological phenomena, one controlled by a small and one by a large molecular network each providing specific challenges to the researcher, and allowing different types of questions to be addressed. Part of the work is done in close collaboration with the groups of Ernst Dieter Gilles and Dieter Oesterhelt (Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried).
   
   
2. Professor Reichl,
   Bioprocess Engineering
   Mathematical modeling plays a crucial role in analyzing and optimizing bioprocesses. Without such models, it is practically impossible to quantitatively understand metabolic pathways and regulatory networks of cells, to characterize cell growth and product formation in bioreactors, or to allow for a rational design of several downstream processing steps to maximize yields.
   The increasing amount of data available from all levels of a bioprocess − in particular from systems biology approaches - serves as a sound basis on which mathematical models can be formulated. This will eventually not only enable scientists to perform theoretical studies and numerical simulations concerning technical aspects in bioprocess engineering but also support the detailed analysis of the enormous complexity of biological systems.
   
   
3. Dr. Jörg Schaber,
   Systems Biology Laboratoy, OvGU
   The Systems Biology Laboratory investigates dynamic regulation and control mechanisms of cellular signal transduction networks by a combination of theoretical, experimental and computational methods. We seek to make sense of our biological data with the help of mathematical models, which ideally enable us to make valid predictions for new experiments, thereby generating novel biological insights.
   We are an interdisciplinary team of molecular biologists, physicists, mathematicians and engineers, and accordingly we use a broad spectrum of experimental, analytical and computational tools, which are partly developed in the group.
   
   
4. PD Dr. Ronny Straube,
   Systems Biology Group, MPI
   Understanding biological processes from a holistic point of view is only possible with the aid of mathematical modeling attempts. Systems Biology studies the interplay of all interacting components that are relevant for a specific cellular system. It can be expected that this approach will allow better and faster solutions to medical and biotechnological problems.
   
   

5. Professor Findeisen,
   Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control
   Research Interests
   - Nonlinear Predictive Control
   - Biomedical Engineering and Systemsbiology
   - Control of Mechatronic Systems
   - Output Feedback and Observer Design
   - Optimization Based (Process) Control
   - Control of Differential Algebraic Systems
   
   
6. Professor Kienle,
   Process Synthesis and Process Dynamics
   The research of the Process Synthesis and Dynamics group focuses on computer-aided analysis, synthesis and control of complex chemical processes. For that purpose, suitable mathematical modeling techniques are developed. It helps to bridge the gap between physico-chemical fundamentals and process engineering on the one hand and systems and control theory on the other hand.
   
   
7. Jun.-Professor Krewer,
   Portable Energy Systems
   The group investigates portable energy systems such as fuel cell systems and batteries in order to identify and develop new concepts for them. Model-based analysis is combined with experimental validation to solve current issues like autonomous operation and miniaturisation in portable fuel cell systems and water management in alkaline single cells.
   
   
8. Professor Seidel-Morgenstern,
   Physical and Chemical Foundations of Process Engineering
   The development and production of new products with improved or hitherto unknown properties increasingly requires the application of new and more complex technologies. To understand, to analyse quantitatively and to optimise the underlying processes a profound knowledge about a large number of physical and chemical data and parameters is of key importance. It is one goal of the group "Physical and Chemical Foundations of Process Engineering" to determine physical and chemical data and parameters that are related to the chemical engineering and bioengineering processes investigated at the MPI. Besides determining various physical and chemical data, the group investigates several separation and reaction processes in detail. Detailed modeling of these processes completes the work of this group.
   
   
9. Professor Sundmacher,
   Physical and Chemical Process Engineering
   The work of our group aims at developing new physicochemical processes for current technical tasks and making available the knowledge to realize and optimize these processes for effective, environmentally friendly and inherently safe operation. The research projects being investigated at the moment by our group cover the production of nano particles in emulsion systems, the integration of separation processes in chemical reactors as well as fuel cell systems. By using systematic description and analysis of the occurring physical and chemical processes and applying mathematical models and methods of system dynamics, the complex interaction of the involved transport and reaction mechanisms in manufacturing plants are to be simulated and understood. An important focus is the experimental validation of model results and control strategies that have been developed in collaboration with other research groups.
   
   
10. Professor Thévenin,
    Fluid Dynamics & Technical Flows
    Research is centered on the investigation and optimization of complex flows, covering many different specific issues (reacting flows, multiphase flows, non-newtonian fluids, turbomachinery, acoustics…). The analysis relies on in-house and industrial numerical simulation tools, in particular for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Optimization, as well as on complex optical measurement techniques associated with extensive experimental facilities.
    
    

11. Professor Benner,
    Computational Methods in Systems and Control Theory
    The numerical simulation, control, and optimization of complex dynamical systems requires ideas and techniques from several mathematical areas, including numerical analysis, numerical linear algebra, high-performance computing, mathematical systems and control theory, and the theory of ordinary and partial differential equations. In our group, we mainly contribute to methods of model and dimension reduction, linear and nonlinear eigenvalue computations, optimal control of (partial) differential equations, feedback stabilization, and mathematical software for modern computing platforms (e.g., multi-core/-GPU systems). Possible thesis topics may involve fundamental research in these areas or application-oriented development of methods with the focus on biological and chemical systems.
    
    
12. Professor Flockerzi,
    Mathematical Foundation of Dynamical Systems
    The main research fields are Modeling and Model Reduction of nonlinear processes in chemical engineering and of cellular systems. Detailed models of high complexity are reduced by means of mathematical methods and tools to simpler ones. The reduced models still show the precision required for the specific task under consideration. In Systems Biology, with the interdisciplinary cooperation of biologists and computer scientists, mathematical models of amenable size and structure are established. The decomposition (modularization) of a network and the analysis of the resulting subnets (modules) and their interconnections present an approach that promises to be successful in tackling the manifold aspects of biological networks.
    
    
13. Professor Kaibel,
    Institute for Mathematical Optimization
    The scientific work is mainly located in the area of Discrete Mathematics with a strong emphasis on optimization and geometry and the interaction of these two topics. Specific current research topics include:
    
    - General methods to enhance the capabilities of state-of-the art integer programming solvers for highly symmetric models
    - Extended formulations for discrete optimization problems
    - Typical and extremal structures of general 0/1-polytopes, in particular random 0/1-polytopes
    
    
    
14. Professor Warnecke,
    Institute for Analysis and Numerical Mathematics
    The group is focused on research concerning numerical methods for partial differential and integral equations. This includes research on the mathematical properties of algorithms such as their consistency, convergence, stability, and their ability to maintain important qualitative properties of solutions such as conservation principles or positivity. Insight gained from the mathematical analysis of algorithms is used to develop faster and more accurate computational methods. The areas of application include compressible multi-phase or multi-component flow including phase transitions, reaction-diffusion systems, and population balance equations for aggregation, breakage and growth of particles. The principal researchers in this group have many years of experience in the cooperation with engineers and physicists on such topics.