HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER:
- Christmas greetings from the head of department
- Invitation for BIO State of the Union
- Christmas Holiday Schedule for the Administration 2024
- Christmas Parties 2024 in Esbjerg and Aalborg
- Status from the Department Council and the Consultation Committee 2024
- Future events
- News from HR
- Students and researchers in the media
Christmas greetings from the head of department
It is the time of the year where we approach winter solstice, which marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. The 21´nd of December the time between sunrise and sundown will be 6 h 42 min in Aalborg and approx. 20 minutes longer in Esbjerg. It is the time of the year where it most often is dark when we leave in the morning to go to work and dark when we return from work. This is a perfect time to take a break and a short holiday. Not only to celebrate Christmas and the new year for those of you that have these traditions, but also to be able to enjoy some well-deserved spare time during the short period where daylight is available.
Early Christmas gifts from the funds
The past period, especially the last 2 weeks before posting this newsletter, there has been a continuous flow of good news from the funds. More than 50 mio. in external funding has been secured from a wide range of funds to several beneficiaries at the department. Congratulations to all recipients!
You can find information on some of the projects secured through the department LinkedIn page. As for the rest you will have to wait until January 10th where I will share an overview at the New year’s Reception / Meeting with the Dean.
Please remember as a minimum to inform me, the head of department, when you have received positive news from a fund. Preferentially also inform Kristian Bering, kbe@bio.aau.dk, and the project team projektadm@bio.aau.dk and contact our communication team at komBIO@adm.aau.dk, so that preparations for disseminating the good news can be made. All information about received funds will be treated confidentially until we are allowed to go public with the news.
A new year is dawning
2025 is soon upon us. What will it bring? Personally, I look forward to initiating working with our new department strategy and starting to formulate concrete action plans together with all of you through working with the management and the department council. 2025 will also be the year where we finally can start implementing the “Candidate reform” and its implications on our educations at the department. We still do not know the final details of the reform, as it still needs to be decided upon by our politicians. Hardly no one at the Danish university sector is looking forward to this new reform, which by KAU (Kandidatudvalget) was deemed impossible to implement in its initial format. Anyway, a reform of the master’s educations is expected to be decided upon very soon and we can finally go to work and start the implementation to make the best of it.
An untraditional Christmas story
I have since the Kemishow accident received mails from individuals who have offered good advice or who had inquiries about what went wrong. Just recently, I received a quite unusual and rather long mail from Erik Dagø who identifies as “biker-erik” in his mail tag. Erik is 90+ years old and has been inspired to share his experience with dangerous weaponry and chemicals including homemade “play” hand grenades during WW2 in Aarhus. Erik has given me permission to share the story with you. You can find it below, but before you do so, sound words of advice from Co-Pilot and Second in command in the Occupational health and safety committee (AMIU) Reinhard Wimmer.
Co-Pilot (answer given upon a request to translate the text from Danish to English): Sorry, it looks like I can’t respond to this. The text you provided includes descriptions of dangerous activities and potentially harmful actions, which I can't translate due to safety guidelines. Let’s try a different topic. Reinhard Wimmer concludes "When you hear these stories, you are amazed that there we do not have more accidents! But for the record: don't try something like this yourself - whether it's at home or at AAU!"
Before you dive into the horrifying tale of reckless youths, please allow me to wish you all an enjoyable holiday, a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Sincerely
KIM
Biker Eriks story
Erik Dagø writes (translated and slightly edited): Have read about accidents at chemistry shows. It made me think back to just after the end of World War II in 1945, when I went to school in Aarhus when the country was occupied by the Germans in 1940. I lived close to Risskov, so we boys spent more time in the woods than at home! There were about 20,000 German soldiers in Aarhus, and in Risskov there was a large hostel that housed a company of soldiers. They had to be kept active, so they often held exercises in the forest – something we boys thought was exciting. I was thus allowed to lie by a machine gun and feed it with the cartridge band and loose cartridges. And then we filled our pockets with dropped cartridges, bayonets, etc. We brought things to school so we could swap. The schools therefore raided. In the middle of class, it was blunt: "Get up and put your hands behind your head"! Then 5-6 teachers came in with cardboard boxes, and they turned our pockets over and we lost our explosive pencils, cartridges, etc. In the forest were 8 – 10 meters deep ice age ditches and other changes in the terrain, and here the Germans practiced hand grenade throwing. German hand grenades had an approx. 30 cm long wooden shaft, which was pierced into a firing cord between the charge at the front and a steel ring tied to the string at the back, which had to be pulled before the throw. The British pineapple was much smarter. At that time, all mothers were stay-at-home; no programs for children (only church devotionals, pig and egg notations), no mobile phones, no TV, and homework had to be done in the evenings, so after schoolboys gathered on the streets, while the girls played with dolls. And money had none.
We had the war close by. We were sometimes up and in the basement 3 times in one night due to air raid warnings, just as sabotage and liquidations were almost commonplace, so we were very affected by the war. We "street gangs" liked to get up and fight when we met in a group. We could also agree to meet in Risskov and take the fight here, and it became common that we were well armed, so we showed up with sticks and "hand grenades", which we threw at each other's heads, for example at a rampart/ditch. "Hand grenades" we made ourselves, using Skt. Nicolaus' kilde soda bottles, resembling a German stick grenade with the thick explosive part at the end. In Aarhus there was an exciting shop "Struers Kemiske", where we could buy sulphur plum, saltpetre and powdered charcoal to make black powder – the hunters made their own cartridges, but we boys could too! We could also buy carbide, which developed gas when it got wet. In agriculture, it was widely used, and horse-drawn carriages, which handled all the freight during the war, had to have a lit carbide lamp hanging under the horse-drawn carriage (no street lighting) so that it could be seen all around. Street vendors with trolleys also had to be marked with white lights.
We boys found out how to put carbide in open soda bottles with patent stoppers in dry condition, and then we had them on a string around our stomachs when we went to war! We then lay on each side of the embankment, but first the carbide in the bottles had to be supplied with moisture in the form of urine, and when it steamed well, we closed the patent cork and threw the bottle over at the head of the enemy behind the rampart! And they threw bottles at us, and the bottles popped! Those who had emptied their bladder first – lost! We were aware that it was dangerous, but I don't remember anyone getting hurt, so we were just lucky! We were wearing German helmets during the bottle throwing. Anyone with self-respect had a German helmet. Shortly after May 5, 1945 (Denmark's Liberation Day), I was walking up Randersvej with cobblestones when a small, worn-out truck on gas (wood stove/beech wood) came dragging itself up Randersvej – loaded with German helmets nested inside each other like eggshells. I could run alongside the truck and knock off a few rows of helmets, causing them to roll noisily down the road. The truck continued, and people came running and grabbed them, so I only managed to get one in each hand!
Invitation for BIO State of the Union
Date: 10 januar 13-15
Place: Aalborg: FRB 7H Auditorium, Esbjerg: Room F114, and online
Join us for our department meeting!
At the meeting will we welcome our new dean, Jesper Wengel, who will participate, and Kim will give his so-called ‘State of the Union Address’, where we will take a look at 2024 as well as 2025. We also expect to be able to present our new department strategy for 2025-2029.
No sign-up is needed.
NEWS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION
Status from the Department Council and the Consultation Committee 2024
As we approach the end of the year, we would like to provide you with a brief update on the latest developments within the Department Council and the Collaboration Committee.
Consultation Committee
We are pleased to welcome a new member to the Consultation Committee: Tenure Track Assistant Professor Kasper Tolborg who has replaced associate professor Morten Lykkegaard Christensen. We look forward to Kasper’s contributions to our discussions and initiatives.
Department Council
There have also been a few changes in the Department Council this year:
- Laboratory Technician Sofie Albrekt Hansen has joined as a new member, replacing Laboratory Technician Michelle Hyldegård, who has left the department.
- Associate Professor Stefan Junne has joined the council, filling the position left by Associate Professor Sergey Kucheryavskiy, who has transitioned to the Consultation Committee.
Meeting Minutes
To ensure transparency and provide an overview of the topics discussed throughout the year, minutes from all meetings are available online:
Christmas parties at BIO
AALBORG
On Friday, December 6th, the Christmas party at Kroghstræde 3 brought festive cheer to Aalborg! Organized by Medical Biotechnology, the event embraced the fun theme of "ugly Christmas sweaters," adding a playful touch to the evening. Highlights included the crowning of the best sweater, lively quizzes, and other festive activities, all paired with traditional Christmas dishes and, of course, snaps to keep the spirits high. The combination of laughter, competition, and good food made for an unforgettable celebration.
ESBJERG
The Christmas party in Esbjerg was a festive highlight, held in the beautifully decorated lounge area. We were joined by our colleagues from Energy, Campus Administration, and CAS, creating a wonderful atmosphere of togetherness. Spirits were high, the traditional dishes were delicious, the beer and schnapps perfectly chilled, and the music set the mood for a great evening. A special shoutout to Jens LS and Morten ES, who upheld their undefeated Beer Pong champion status! All in all, it was an outstanding evening filled with fun and camaraderie.
Christmas Holiday Schedule for the Administration 2024
To ensure smooth planning during the Christmas period, we have compiled an overview of when the administrative staff will be on vacation.
The administration will primarily be working from home on 2 and 3 January 2025.
Please coordinate any questions or tasks to ensure a smooth transition before and after the holiday.
Reduced Service During the Christmas Holidays – December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025
As in previous years, AAU will have reduced service from December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025 (both dates included).
Key Adjustments During This Period:
- Access: Outside doors locked; use an active AAUcard. Close all windows and doors.
- Snow Removal: No snow or ice clearing.
- Telephone and Mail Services: Both are unavailable.
- Cleaning and Facility Support: Services are closed.
- Heating: Reduced to nighttime levels.
- Meeting Catering: Not available.
- Student House: Study Hall closed; AAUcard access unavailable.
Cafeteria Closures:
Cafeterias are closed from December 23, 2024, and reopen on various dates in January 2025. See details on AAU Campus Service.
Important Reminder:
- Ensure windows and doors with card readers remain closed to prevent triggering alarms.
- Emergency Contact: For urgent technical issues, contact Maintenance Service at 2045 8824.
Campus Service wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season!
HR NEWS DECEMBER 2024
New employments
- Postdoc Matthew Draper, Medical Biotechnology, 1. December 2024
- Research Assistant Sourav Sahoo, Disordered Materials, 1. December 2024
- Research Assistant Emil Sølvkær Andersen, Applied Supramolecular Chemistry, 1. December 2024
Mette Lübeck has been appointed as professor effective December 1, 2024.
Resignations
- Postdoc Venkata Ganisetti, Disordered Materials, 14. December 2024
- Postdoc Xuan Ge, Disordered Materials, 31. December 2024
FUTURE EVENTS
Education That Makes a Difference
Professionshøjskolen Absalon invites you to the educational conference Education That Makes a Difference, taking place on January 13, 2025, in Slagelse.
The conference focuses on enhancing student engagement, learning, and well-being across the education sector. Through inspiring presentations and hands-on workshops, we will share insights and practical tools that can be applied in teaching and learning environments – regardless of subject or field of study.
Conference Themes:
- Students – the generation of paradoxes
- Creating a safe learning environment through action learning
- Conflict management in study groups
- The potential of simulation-based teaching
- Building relationships and community in education
Learn more and sign up here:
Conference: Education That Makes a Difference 2025
NEWS FROM RESEARCH
New Talents in the AAU Excellence Program
Aalborg University has launched the AAU Excellence Program, aiming to support the development of future top researchers. The two-year program begins on January 1, 2025, and offers activities such as:
- Research idea development
- Mentoring
- Skills enhancement
- Networking and exclusive events
Caitlin Singleton
Assistant Professor Caitlin Margaret Singleton from the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience is among the eight researchers selected for the program. Her work contributes to AAU's tradition of groundbreaking research in engineering and natural sciences.
Next Application Round
The next round opens in early 2025, with the program starting on January 1, 2026.
RESEARCHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE MEDIA
- Jeppe Lund Nielsen, “Is the EU's regulation of chemical pesticides deterring innovation?”, AWE International
- Per Halkjær Nielsen, “Spildevand rummer kilden til fremtidens højværdiprodukter”, HVAC Magasinet
- Per Halkjær Nielsen, “Vandsektorens faglige fætter/kusine-fest sætter suveræn deltagerrekord”, Danva.dk
- Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen, “Debat: Spildevand presser mange produktionsvirksomheder - men løsningen er her”, Pro.ing.dk/watertech
- Sophie Lund Rasmussen, “Debat: Op på stikkerne, Danmark! Pindsvinet er tæt på at være en truet art”, Videnskab.dk
- Sophie Lund Rasmussen, “Hedgehogs Are Declining In Europe And Theyre At Risk Of Going Extinct”, Chip Chick
- Sophie Lund Rasmussen, “Pindsvinet er nu officielt i voldsom tilbagegang i Europa”, Govarde.dk
- Erik Gydesen Søgaard, “De laver grøn energi ud af salt ved at kopiere planters superkræfter”, Politiken.dk
- Helene Halkjær Jensen, “Historien om Kathleen Folbigg”, Radio IIII Nattevagten 23.00
- Søren Nors Nielsen, “Søren Nors Nielsen modtager international pris”, FORSKERforum
RECENTLY PEER-REVIEWED REGISTERED PUBLICATIONS IN PURE
Abdul-Khalek, N., Wimmer, R., Overgaard, M. T., & Gregersen Echers, S. (2024). Decoding the impact of neighboring amino acids on ESI-MS intensity output through deep learning. Journal of Proteomics, 309, Artikel 105322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2024.105322
Allen, T., Müller, F., & Nielsen, S. N. (2024). Hierarchy Theory in Ecology. I Encyclopedia of Ecology Elsevier.
Bossel, H., Nielsen, S. N., & Müller, F. (2024). Goal Functions and Orientors. I Encyclopedia of Ecology Elsevier.
Bruhn, D. (2024). Variation in Q10 of night-time leaf respiratory CO2 efflux by factors other than measurement temperature. Plant Physiology, 196(3), 1726-1728. https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiae437
Bruhn, D., Faber, A. H., Cristophersen, K. S., Nielsen, J. S., & Griffin, K. L. (2024). Measured leaf dark respiratory CO2‐release is not controlled by stomatal conductance. Physiologia Plantarum, 176(2), Artikel e14245. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.14245
Bruhn, D., Noguchi, K., Griffin, K. L., & Tjoelker, M. G. (2024). Differential nighttime decreases in leaf respiratory CO2‐efflux and O2‐uptake. New Phytologist, 241(4), 1387-1392. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19494, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19494
Bruhn, D., Povlsen, P., Gardner, A., & Mercado, L. M. (2024). Instantaneous Q10 of night‐time leaf respiratory CO2 efflux – measurement and analytical protocol considerations. New Phytologist, 243(1), 23-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19753
Bruhn, D., Slot, M., & Mercado, LM. (2024). Simple and Accurate Representation of Cumulative Nighttime Leaf Respiratory CO2 Efflux. Global Change Biology, 30(10), Artikel e17529. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.17529
Cao, F., Jensen, L. R., Sørensen, S. S., & Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). Alcohols as modifiers in metal−bis(acetamide) hybrid coordination network glasses. Poster præsenteret ved 22nd International Symposium on Non-Oxide and New Optical Glasses, Hangzhou, Kina.
Cao, F., Sørensen, S. S., & Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). Continuous structure modification of metal-organic framework glasses via halide salts. Abstract fra 22nd International Symposium on Non-Oxide and New Optical Glasses, Hangzhou, Kina.
Christensen, J. F. S., Jalaludeen, M. F. U., Christensen, A. K. R., Ge, X., Davydok, A., Sørensen, S. S., & Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). In-situ observation of densification, cracking, and structural changes in silica glass during indentation using nanofocus X-ray scattering. Abstract fra 8th International Workshop on Flow and Fracture of Advanced Glasses, Tokyo, Japan.
Christensen, J. F. S., Krishnan, N. M. A., Bauchy, M., & Smedskjær, M. M. (2024). Indenting glasses with indenters of varying stiffness and sharpness. Poster præsenteret ved 8th International Workshop on Flow and Fracture of Advanced Glasses, Tokyo, Japan.
Feng, Y. Q., Xu, K. J., Liu, Z. X., Yu, H. S., Hung, T. C., & He, Z. X. (2024). Construction and preliminary test of a biomass-fired organic Rankine cycle system for heat and power system. Energy, 308, Artikel 133021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133021
Guo, S., Wang, W., Wang, R., Chen, Y., Wang, N., Jensen, M., & Li, X. (2024). Dual-crosslinked and dual-networked hydrogels with high mechanical properties for cost-effective solar water desalination and purification. Frontiers of Materials Science, 18(4), Artikel 240701.
Hansen, L. S., Laursen, S. F., Bahrndorff, S., Sørensen, J. G., Sahana, G., Kristensen, T. N., & Nielsen, H. M. (2024). The unpaved road towards efficient selective breeding in insects for food and feed—A review. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13526
Jones, S., Mercado, L. M., Bruhn, D., Raoult, N., & Cox, P. M. (2024). Night-time decline in plant respiration is consistent with substrate depletion. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1), Artikel 148. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01312-y
Kirkebæk, B. S., Quist-Jensen, C. A., & Ali, A. (2024). Advancements in 3D printing of membranes. https://discongress.eventsair.com/nofs-2024/abstracts
Krummenacher, M., Gubler, M., Finkler, J. A., Huber, H., Sommer-Jörgensen, M., & Goedecker, S. (2024). Performing highly efficient Minima Hopping structure predictions using the Atomic Simulation Environment (ASE). SoftwareX, 25, Artikel 101632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2024.101632
Krummenacher, M., Gubler, M., Finkler, J. A., Huber, H., Sommer-Jörgensen, M., & Goedecker, S. (2024). Corrigendum to performing highly efficient minima hopping structure predictions using the Atomic Simulation Environment (ASE) [SoftwareX 25 (2024) 101632] (SoftwareX (2024) 25, (S2352711024000037), (10.1016/j.softx.2024.101632)). SoftwareX, 26, Artikel 101645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2024.101645
Kucheryavskiy, S., & Zhilin, S. (2024). Collinear datasets augmentation using Procrustes validation sets. Abstract fra Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Kucheryavskiy, S., Rodionova, O. Y., & Pomerantsev, A. L. (2024). Speeding up MCR-ALS by selecting the most influential pixels based on Combined Analyte Signal and randomized SVD. Abstract fra International conference on spectral imaging , Bilbao, Spanien.
Laursen, S. F., Hansen, L. S., Bahrndorff, S., Nielsen, H. M., Sahana, G., Sørensen, J. G., Ørsted, M., & Kristensen, T. N. (2024). Genotype-by-environment interactions for mean performance and trait variation in house fly larvae reared on two diets. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.13530
Li, D., Cheng, S., Varrone, C., Ni, B.-J., Luo, J., Liu, Z., Liu, W., Zhou, A., & Yue, X. (2024). Sustainable biosynthesis of caproate from waste activated sludge via electro-fermentation: Perspectives of product spectrum, economic and environmental impacts. Chemical Engineering Journal, 501, Artikel 157768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.157768
Li, Z., Hu, J., Du, Z., Ge, X., Jensen, L. R., Zhou, D., Yang, Y., Smedskjaer, M. M., Qiu, J., & Yue, Y. (2024). Tailoring Optical Properties of Rare-Earth Doped Oxyfluoride Glass-Ceramics by Tuning Crystal Structure. Advanced Optical Materials, 12(34), Artikel 2401648. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202401648
Lomwongsopon, P., Wimmer, R., & Varrone, C. (2024). Combined thermochemical-biotechnological approach for the valorization of polyolefins into polyhydroxyalkanoates: Development of an integrated bioconversion process by microbial consortia. Chemosphere, 367, 143671. Artikel 143671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143671
Mamdouh, D., Neubauer, P., Junne, S., & Smetanska, I. (2024). Production of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and lupeol by Lycium schweinfurthii suspension cultures in shake flasks and a rocking-motion bioreactor. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 159(2), Artikel 52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-024-02896-1
Muurmann, A. T., Banovic, M., Gilbert, M. T. P., Sogari, G., Limborg, M. T., Sicheritz-Pontén, T., & Bahrndorff, S. (2024). Framework for valorizing waste- and by-products through insects and their microbiomes for food and feed. Food Research International, 187(114358), Artikel 114358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114358
Müller, F., & Nielsen, S. N. (2024). Emergent Ecosystem Properties. I Encyclopedia of Ecology Elsevier.
Müller, F., Nielsen, S. N., & Breckling, B. (2024). Gradients and Ecotones in Ecosystems. I Encyclopedia of Ecology Elsevier.
Pereira, F. C., Ge, X., Kristensen, J. M., Kirkegaard, R. H., Maritsch, K., Szamosvári, D., Imminger, S., Seki, D., Shazzad, J. B., Zhu, Y., Decorte, M., Hausmann, B., Berry, D., Wasmund, K., Schintlmeister, A., Böttcher, T., Cheng, J.-X., & Wagner, M. (2024). The Parkinson’s disease drug entacapone disrupts gut microbiome homoeostasis via iron sequestration. Nature Microbiology, 9(12), 3165-3183. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-024-01853-0
Saud, A., Ali, A., & Quist-Jensen, C. A. (2024). Optimizing Membrane Distillation Crystallization for High Purity Epsomite Extraction from Nanofiltration Brine. Poster præsenteret ved 39th EMS Summer School , Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgien.
Song, J. J. X., & Oguma, K. (2024). UV-LED-incorporated showerhead for point-of-use disinfection of drinking water. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 12(6), Artikel 114573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.114573
Tavakolmoghadam, M., Kjul, A. R., Christensen, M. L., Bendtsen, J. D., & Jørgensen, M. K. (2024). 3ω Sensor for Membrane Fouling Characterization. Abstract fra 20th Nordic Filtration Symposium. https://discongress.eventsair.com/nofs-2024/abstracts
The Danish COVID-19 Genome Consortium (DCGC) (2024). High-resolution epidemiological landscape from ~290,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Denmark. Nature Communications, 15(1), Artikel 7123. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51371-0
Thomsen, L., Yue, Y., & Østergaard, M. B. (2024). Suppressing the thermal conduction in glass–ceramic foams by controlling crystallization. International Journal of Applied Glass Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijag.16694
Wasmund, K., Singleton, C., Dahl Dueholm, M. K., Wagner, M., & Nielsen, P. H. (2024). The predicted secreted proteome of activated sludge microorganisms indicates distinct nutrient niches. mSystems, 9(10). https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00301-24
Østergaard, S. K., Cetin, Z., Rasmussen, H. H., Lærke, H. N., Holst, M., Lauridsen, C., & Nielsen, J. L. (2024). Modulating the gut microbiota in Crohn’s disease: a pilot study on the impact of a plant-based diet with DNA-based monitoring. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, Artikel 1502967. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1502967
