Mannheim University of Applied Sciences

About: Mannheim University of Applied Sciences is a education organization based out in Mannheim, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Gene & Mass spectrometry imaging. The organization has 593 authors who have published 779 publications receiving 19248 citations. The organization is also known as: FH Mannheim & Mannheim College.

Modeling of the Urothelium with an Agent Based Approach

Abstract: Novel models for cell differentiation and proliferation in the urothelium are presented. The models are simulated with the Glazier-Graner-Hogeweg technique using CompuCell3D. From a variety of tested models, the contact model is the best candidate to explain cell proliferation in the healthy urothelium. Based on this model, four variations were compared to highlight the key variations that best fit real urothelium. All simulations were quantified by a fitness function designed for the requirements of the urothelium. The findings suggest that adhesion and a nutrient dependent growth may play a crucial role in the maintenance of the urothelium. Aberrations in either adhesion or nutrient dependent growth led to the development of polyp-like formations. This work mimics the regeneration process and the steady state of the urothelium with a spatial and adhesion dependent approach for the first time.

Improving manganese circular economy from cellulose by chelation with siderophores immobilized to magnetic microbeads

Abstract: Manganese (Mn) contained in cellulose is partially responsible for an increased consumption of paper bleaching chemicals (like O2, H2O2), consequently diminishing the efficiency in pulp processing, darkening the pulp and deteriorating pulp quality. Usually, Mn in the paper industry is removed employing the environmentally critical EDTA. A greener alternative constitutes, however, the use of siderophores, high-affinity metal-chelating organic compounds that are produced by microorganisms to acquire metals (Fe and Mn among others), like desferrioxamine B (DFOB) or desferrioxamine E (DFOE). The use of native Mn-transporter proteins, like PratA, constitutes another possibility for Mn removal. The evaluation of utilizing siderophores or PratA for Mn removal from cellulose in a circular economy scheme is therefore essential. Firstly, Mn removal from cellulose was performed by immobilizing siderophores or PratA on magnetic beads (M-PVA C22). Secondly, the beads were incubated overnight with a 2% cellulose suspension, allowing Mn-ligand complex formation. Finally, cellulose suspensions were submitted for Mn quantification, employing either the TCPP [Tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin] method, the PAN [1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol] method or the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). When non-immobilized ligands were employed, a 31% Mn removal was achieved; when using immobilized ligands, around 10% Mn removal was obtained. Treated and untreated cellulose was analyzed by SEM and the Mn distribution between the solid and liquid phase was parameterized using adsorption isotherm models. This novel greener method proved to be feasible and easy, leading to potential improvements in the paper industry. Next research steps are to optimize Mn removal and quantify Mn recovery after ligand decoupling before scaling-up.