Unifying Systems in Catalysis

Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat), a Cluster of Excellence, is an interdisciplinary research network established by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of the federal and state initiative, Exzellenzstrategie. The funding period runs from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2025.

UniSysCat logo

Overview

Approximately 300 researchers from the Berlin and Potsdam areas work at UniSysCat, addressing current challenges in catalysis research. UniSysCat is the successor to the Cluster of Excellence Unifying Concepts in Catalysis (UniCat), which was funded from 2007 to 2018 under Germany’s federal and state excellence initiative, Exzellenzstrategie.

Objectives

UniSysCat’s research focuses on catalytic reactions driven by biocatalysts, with the goal of developing controllable reaction networks that are applicable to sustainable chemistry and biochemistry. Building on the work of its predecessor, UniSysCat continues to advance research in catalysis and sustainable chemical processes.

Knowledge Transfer

The network is committed to transferring its research findings to third-party organizations, particularly in the sustainable chemistry industry, enabling the practical application of its discoveries.

BasCat

In 2011, UniSysCat partnered with BASF to establish the BasCat joint laboratory at Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin). BasCat focuses on basic research in heterogeneous catalysis, specifically the catalytic transformation of hydrocarbons into value-added products.

Chemical Invention Factory

The Chemical Invention Factory (CIF), also known as the John Warner Center for Start-ups in Green Chemistry, is a project at TU Berlin designed to encourage young scientists to start their own companies. Originating from the TU INKULAB program, CIF supports research in green chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology.

INKULAB

The INKULAB project, which concluded in April 2020, aimed to promote young entrepreneurs in the field of chemistry. Its primary objective was to simplify the transition from research to startup, addressing the complex infrastructure typically required for science companies. Startups were offered modular, purpose-built laboratories made from containers to facilitate this process.

Consortium Partners

The consortium includes leading institutions such as:

• Technische Universität Berlin
• Humboldt Universität zu Berlin
• Freie Universität Berlin
• Universität Potsdam
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin
• Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
• Max-Planck-Institute for Colloids and Interfaces
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
• Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie

Research Focus

UniSysCat consists of around 60 research groups working on both experimental and theoretical approaches in molecular and structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, chemical synthesis, physical and theoretical chemistry, and physics. The research focuses on understanding and controlling chemo-catalytic and bio-catalytic networks, as well as exploring how chemical and biological processes can be integrated to create catalytic systems with new functions.

Awards

The Clara Immerwahr Award, launched in 2011 by the UniCat cluster, promotes young women in catalysis research. This annual award is presented to a young female scientist (postdoctoral or early-career researcher) who has demonstrated excellence in catalysis. The award includes a €15,000 grant for a research stay within a UniSysCat research group, encouraging collaboration and strengthening ties with the network.

The Clara Immerwahr Award is named in honor of Dr. Clara Immerwahr (1870–1915), the first woman in Germany to earn a doctorate in physical chemistry, in 1900.

External links

• Official website