Department of Radiation research on biological systems

Why is research into ionizing radiation and the behavior of radionuclides in the environment still of central importance, even in the age of climate change and the energy transition?

Radionuclides are not only of natural origin but are also continuously released into the environment as a result of human activities. Despite decades of research, significant gaps in knowledge remain regarding the transport of radionuclides in natural systems, their uptake by organisms, and their long-term effects on ecosystems and humans. These questions are becoming increasingly important, particularly in light of the expansion of sustainable energy systems, the safe disposal of radioactive waste, and the sustainable protection of humans.

Against this backdrop, the “Radiation Research on Biological Systems” department investigates the influence of radioactive substances on biological and chemical processes. In doing so, it is important to develop a fundamental and molecular understanding of the transport behavior of radionuclides as well as their bioavailability, which govern the distribution and mobility of radionuclides in the biosphere. This enables a robust assessment of risks to humans and the environment while simultaneously opening up innovative applications. Our research encompasses the deep subsurface in the context of final disposal of high-level radioactive waste, environmental and industrial systems, as well as a wide variety of biological systems.

To this end, we combine modern approaches from molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, radioanalytics, spectroscopy, and microscopy. The insights gained contribute to the further development of transport and prediction models that take biological processes into account, support the development of sustainable remediation strategies for contaminated sites, and open up new perspectives for prevention research.

By understanding the complex interactions between biology, chemistry, and physics, we contribute to the safe use of nuclear technologies and the responsible handling of radioactive materials in a changing society.

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

Projects

• 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
• Vernetzungsdoktoranden über die Helmholtz Forschungsfelder „Energie“ und „Gesundheit“ (zusammen mit dem Institut für Radioonkologie – OncoRay, Abteilung Strahlenbiologie, Prof. Nils Cordes): Alpha-Partikel: Identifizierung von Mechanismen von der Aufnahme bis zum Zelltod, Laufzeit: 01.12.2025 – 30.11.2028
• ReNATE: Biologische Radionuklidentfernung durch Nutzung natürlicher Assoziationsprozesse: Technische Entwicklung, BMFTR-Projekt, Förderkennzeichen: 15S9454A, Laufzeit: 01.10.2025 - 30.09.2028

An overview of completed projects can be found here.

Latest publication

More publications

Team

Head
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Prof. Dr. Manja Kubeil	801/P127	2006	m.kubeilhzdr.de
Employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Nicolas Tim Appel	801/P306	2860	n.appelhzdr.de
Deep Biosphere
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Andrea Cherkouk	801/P356	2989	a.cherkoukhzdr.de
Sindy Kluge	801/P219	3194	s.klugehzdr.de
Katrin Lehmann	801/P306	2860	k.lehmannhzdr.de
Terrestrial Microbiology
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Johannes Raff	801/P314	2951	j.raffhzdr.de
Rahel Bertheau	801/P354	3138
Dr. Alix Günther	801/P256	2433 2522	a.guentherhzdr.de
Dr. Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch	801/P252	2076	e.krawczyk-baerschhzdr.de
Plants and Rhizosphere
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Susanne Sachs	801/P208	2436	s.sachshzdr.de
Julia Marie Mätzkow	801/P153	3032	j.maetzkowhzdr.de
Dr. Henry Moll	801/P256	2433 2549	h.mollhzdr.de
Jana Seibt	801/P219	3194 2510	j.seibthzdr.de
Spectroscopy and Speciation of f-elements
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Robin Steudtner	801/P317	2895	r.steudtnerhzdr.de
Katrin Flemming	801/P309	2958	k.flemminghzdr.de
Other employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Stephan Hilpmann	801/P318	2759	s.hilpmannhzdr.de