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A glacier front that extends to the water in the foreground. Mountain formations in the background.

Predicting glacier surges – understanding ecological tipping points

Media Information 06-02-2026 / Nr. 017

When and how quickly can ecosystems ‘tip’ and how will they develop in the future? Researchers from the University of Potsdam, the Potsdam Institute …
Lava flow field during the Meradalir eruption in 2022. The photo was taken within 24 h of the eruption onset and the elongated fissure that effuses lava is still visible.

At the pulse of the Earth – Workshop on the physics of volcanoes at the University of Potsdam

Media Information 04-02-2026 / Nr. 016

The international workshop “Physics of Volcanoes” (PoV) hosted at the University of Potsdam from 18 to 20 February 2026 covers topics from predicting …
Saltwater crocodiles at a river bank.

Ancient DNA Revealed – Saltwater crocodiles traveled thousands of kilometers across the Indian Ocean

A genetic study is rewriting the evolutionary history of the saltwater crocodile and, at the same time, clarifying the species identity of the …
A moraine-dammed lake below the Finger Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, in 2023.

Growing meltwater reservoirs – glacial lakes are both a resource and a habitat worthy of protection

Media Information 28-01-2026 / Nr. 013

Should growing glacial lakes be used for energy production and water supply – or remain protected as ecologically valuable systems? A research team …
Scientist taking a wood core sample to determine the wood density of a tree.

Dense wood – How differently trees grow

Media information 27-01-2026 / Nr. 012

The density of wood in trees and shrubs varies greatly – not only between different species, but also within a species, depending on where the plants …
Theoretical illustration of gold nanorods surrounded by water and ethanol molecules.

Charging gold nanorods with light energy

Media Information 15-01-2026 / Nr. 005

For the first time, a research group at the University of Potsdam has succeeded in tracking and quantifying the light-induced accumulation of charge …
Jakob Runge in portrait

Recognizing Patterns, Finding Causes – Jakob Runge explains why artificial intelligence (still) has its limits

It is used in spam filters and translation tools, in voice and brake assistants, and of course in search engines. Artificial intelligence is no longer …
Zoran Nikoloski in conversation.

“If I could, I would … produce the fuel of the future from single-cell organisms” – With bioinformatics expert Zoran Nikoloski

If I had unlimited funds, I would invest in the design of synthetic enzymes. This would allow me to create any “Frankenstein” I need for chemical …
Capsella grandiflora, also known as shepherd's purse. Close-up of test plants. They each bear small labels with handwritten numbers and are attached to the plants with red threads.

“When identical genes look different: Plants as masters of adaptation” – How biologists and bioinformaticians study the interplay between genes and the environment

“Our research is essential because without plants there is no human nutrition,” emphasizes Michael Lenhard, Professor of Genetics and spokesperson of …
Gestenfeld mit untergehender Sonne

Resistant Barley – Decisive factors for heat stress tolerance in cereals

Media information 25-11-2025 / Nr. 102

How can the stress response of crops be optimized in light of rising global temperatures? Researchers of the University of Potsdam and the Leibniz …