Department of Radiation research on biological systems
Research in the department of Radiation research on biological systems focuses on understanding the interaction of long-lived radionuclides with biosystems. We are interested in the various levels from biomolecules to individual organisms and complex biocoenoses. On the one hand, the aim is to understand the influence of biological systems on the behavior of radionuclides in the environment (release, mobility and bioavailability). On the other hand, we investigate the effects of radionuclides on the metabolism of cells and the whole organism (uptake, accumulation, chemo- and radiotoxicity) and the resulting dangers for us humans.
Using state-of-the-art molecular biological, spectroscopic and microscopic methods, we work in the fields of repository research to improve the long-term safety of a repository for high-level radioactive waste and radioecology to protect humans and the environment from the dangers of naturally and artificially released radionuclides.
In addition to basic research, our aim is to use the knowledge gained to develop innovative remediation methods and improve models to describe the behavior of radionuclides in the environment.
Interested in working with us?
To support our work, we are always looking for students and interns from the fields of biology, chemistry and environmental sciences who either want to write their thesis with us or simply gain practical experience. Are you interested? Then please get in touch to clarify any questions you may have.
Current research topics
- Determination of the microbial diversity in water and soil environments contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides as well as in different host rocks for potential radioactive waste disposals
- Microbe-radionuclide-interactions with reference strains and isolates
- Interaction of eukaryotic cells with radionuclides and lanthanides in particular with plants, fungi, sponges and algae
- Investigation of the interaction of selected bioligands and model compounds with f-elements
- Characterization of microbial processes affecting the conditions in deep geological repositories for radioactive waste (e.g. transformation of bentonite as barrier material)
- Calculation and determination of the metal speciation relevant to the environment
- Verification and validation of transport models
- Characterization of particles in the environment relevant to the transport of radionuclides
- Investigation of the transport processes of radionuclides by particles (including microbes) in natural water
Latest Publication
Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake, translocation and speciation in hydroponically grown Sand oat (Avena strigosa)
Klotzsche, M.; Drobot, B.; Schymura, S.; Vogel, M.; Raff, J.; Stumpf, T.; Steudtner, R.
Abstract
As rare earth elements gain strategic importance, knowledge of their environmental pathways becomes increasingly needed. In particular, mechanistic insight into plant uptake of rare earth elements informs both risk assessment and mitigation strategies in case of environmental contaminations and modern green applications such as biomining. In this study, we addressed the mobility, speciation and deposition of Eu(III), serving as surrogate for trivalent lanthanides, within the Poaceae Sand oat (Avena strigosa) from both microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. Using hydroponic bioassociation and extraction experiments, we tracked the metal’s pathway within the plant. A combination of (micro)spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry, autoradiography and iterative factor analysis enabled us to develop a comprehensive understanding of Eu(III) speciation and its influence on translocation of lanthanides within plants. The results show that Eu(III) is absorbed by epidermal cells and root tips, but predominantly the apoplast, in which Eu(III) is subjected to cell wall binding and phosphate precipitation. Internalized Eu(III) is bound to organophosphate ligands in the cell interior. Xylem loading occurs within less than one hour and translocation to the shoots is achieved by complexes with oxalate, citrate and malate. The use of radioactive 152Eu(III) as tracer revealed that the majority of the metal remains in the roots, while a minor portion is deposited uniformly in the non-vascular tissue of both young and mature leaf lamina. These findings advance our mechanistic comprehension of rare earth element transport, the chemical binding environments encountered in plants and lay the foundation for environmental risk assessments and phytomanagement for metal-enriched areas.
Keywords: Chemical microscopy; Autoradiography; Hydroponics; Bioassociation; Xylem sap; Rare earth elements; Laser spectroscopy; Liquid chromatography; Phytoremediation; Plants
Related publications
-
Data publication: Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake …
ROBIS: 41086 HZDR-primary research data are used by this (Id 41428) publication -
Data publication: Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake …
RODARE: 3627 HZDR-primary research data are used by this (Id 41428) publication
-
Science of the Total Environment 988(2025), 179849
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179849
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-41428
Projects
- RadoNorm: Towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations - focus on radon and NORM, EC project, grant number: 900009, duration: 01.09.2020-31.08.2025
- RENA/BMBF project, grant number: 02NUK066A, duration: 01.09.2021-31.08.2024
- PepTight/BMBF project, grant number: 031B1122A, duration: 01.09.2021-31.08.2024
- TRAVARIS/BMBF project, grant number: 15S9437C, duration: 01.11.2022-30.04.2026
- UMB-II/BMWi project, grant number: 02E11870B, duration: 01.01.2021-30.06.2025
- PIANOFORTE/EU project, grant number: 101061037, duration: 01.06.2022-31.05.2027
- EURAD2-InCoManD, EU-EURATOM, grant number: 10 45219 047, duration: 01.10.2024-30.09.2026
An overview of completed projects can be found here.
Latest publication
Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake, translocation and speciation in hydroponically grown Sand oat (Avena strigosa)
Klotzsche, M.; Drobot, B.; Schymura, S.; Vogel, M.; Raff, J.; Stumpf, T.; Steudtner, R.
Abstract
As rare earth elements gain strategic importance, knowledge of their environmental pathways becomes increasingly needed. In particular, mechanistic insight into plant uptake of rare earth elements informs both risk assessment and mitigation strategies in case of environmental contaminations and modern green applications such as biomining. In this study, we addressed the mobility, speciation and deposition of Eu(III), serving as surrogate for trivalent lanthanides, within the Poaceae Sand oat (Avena strigosa) from both microscopic and macroscopic perspectives. Using hydroponic bioassociation and extraction experiments, we tracked the metal’s pathway within the plant. A combination of (micro)spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry, autoradiography and iterative factor analysis enabled us to develop a comprehensive understanding of Eu(III) speciation and its influence on translocation of lanthanides within plants. The results show that Eu(III) is absorbed by epidermal cells and root tips, but predominantly the apoplast, in which Eu(III) is subjected to cell wall binding and phosphate precipitation. Internalized Eu(III) is bound to organophosphate ligands in the cell interior. Xylem loading occurs within less than one hour and translocation to the shoots is achieved by complexes with oxalate, citrate and malate. The use of radioactive 152Eu(III) as tracer revealed that the majority of the metal remains in the roots, while a minor portion is deposited uniformly in the non-vascular tissue of both young and mature leaf lamina. These findings advance our mechanistic comprehension of rare earth element transport, the chemical binding environments encountered in plants and lay the foundation for environmental risk assessments and phytomanagement for metal-enriched areas.
Keywords: Chemical microscopy; Autoradiography; Hydroponics; Bioassociation; Xylem sap; Rare earth elements; Laser spectroscopy; Liquid chromatography; Phytoremediation; Plants
Related publications
-
Data publication: Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake …
ROBIS: 41086 HZDR-primary research data are used by this (Id 41428) publication -
Data publication: Follow me: Mechanistic insights into Eu(III) uptake …
RODARE: 3627 HZDR-primary research data are used by this (Id 41428) publication
-
Science of the Total Environment 988(2025), 179849
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179849
Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-41428
Team
Head | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Manja Kubeil | 801/P127 | 2006 | m.kubeil![]() | ||
Employees | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Björn Drobot | 801/P302 | 2978 | b.drobot![]() | ||
Deep Biosphere | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Andrea Cherkouk | 801/P356 | 2989 | a.cherkouk![]() | ||
Sindy Kluge | 801/P219 | 3194 | s.kluge![]() | ||
Dr. Nicole Matschiavelli | 801/P318 | 2759 | n.matschiavelli![]() | ||
Dr. Ting-Shyang Wei | 801/P318 | 2759 | t.wei![]() | ||
Terrestrial Microbiology | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Johannes Raff | 801/P314 | 2951 | j.raff![]() | ||
Rahel Bertheau | 801/P354 | 3138 | |||
Dr. Alix Günther | 801/P256 | 2433 2522 | a.guenther![]() | ||
Dr. Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch | 801/P252 | 2076 | e.krawczyk-baersch![]() | ||
Antonio Newman Portela | a.newman-portela![]() | ||||
Plants and Rhizosphere | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Susanne Sachs | 801/P208 | 2436 | s.sachs![]() | ||
Raul Eduardo Linares Jimenez | 801/P103 | 2457 | r.linares-jimenez![]() | ||
Julia Marie Mätzkow | 801/P306 | 3032 | j.maetzkow![]() | ||
Dr. Henry Moll | 801/P256 | 2433 2549 | h.moll![]() | ||
Jana Seibt | 801/P219 | 3194 2510 | j.seibt![]() | ||
Spectroscopy and Speciation of f-elements | |||||
Name | Bld./Office | +49 351 260 | |||
Dr. Robin Steudtner | 801/P317 | 2895 | r.steudtner![]() | ||
Katrin Flemming | 801/P309 | 2958 | k.flemming![]() | ||
Max Klotzsche | 801/P306 | 3241 | m.klotzsche![]() | ||
Lukas Waurick | 801/P306 | 3241 | l.waurick![]() |