RESEARCH & SCIENCE
THE ARCHAEOBOTANICAL REFERENCE COLLECTIONThe essence of all things
The largest object is a peach stone lying next to cereal grains, tiny grape pips, and the seeds of wild herbs. At first glance, the Archaeobotanical Reference Collection of the Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology division at the Department of Ancient Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) seems anything but impressive. But as Dr. Margarethe König begins to tell of the stories and history that form its background, it is becoming more and more interesting.
INSTITUTE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGYSummer vacation with top researchers
The International Summer School (ISS) organized by the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz offers students from around the world an opportunity to participate in an exceptional program. Every year IMB selects a small group of budding scientists from hundreds of applicants and, next to lectures, directly involves them in current research projects for a period of six weeks. The Mainz University Medical Center and the Faculty of Biology of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) also participate in this project which contributes towards enhancing Mainz's reputation as an international science hub.
ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICSTracking the climate by airplane
Professor Peter Hoor and his Airborne Measurements and Transport Processes work group at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) are studying the processes that occur in the tropopause. The events that take place in this boundary layer between the stratosphere and the troposphere are still puzzling scientists but have significant effects on the climate of our planet.
HISTORICAL CULTURAL STUDIESFrom parchment to the Internet
The Augsburg Master Builders' ledgers offer deep insights into the history of an important German imperial city. This nearly seamless chronicle extends over almost five hundred years. Professor Jörg Rogge of the Department of History of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has initiated a project which aims at preparing a digital version of this amazing historical source documentation.
RESEARCH FUNDINGArte es Vida – Life is Art
Through its internal Research Funding Line I, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) provides support to various research projects. Among these is an unusual undertaking that focuses on the Chilean artist collective C.A.D.A., its members, and their global links to other avant-garde movements. This is the particular interest of Liliana Bizama of the Faculty of Translation Studies, Linguistics, and Cultural Studies in Germersheim.
PHILOSOPHY OF MINDA donation of intellectual property
Books on brain research, on philosophy and psychology of mind are expensive, yet at the time of their appearance the publications themselves may already be obsolete. Thus, the Open MIND Project decided to take another path. It provides a compendium of high-quality specialist papers that is freely accessible online. The initiator of this huge venture is Professor Thomas Metzinger of the Department of Philosophy at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU).
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCHOf differences and differentiation
People are not simply different; they additionally make distinctions among themselves. At times, skin color is to play a role, then there is faith, nationality, gender. The research unit "Un/doing Differences. Practices in Human Differentiation" investigates the mechanisms that are behind what causes us to make distinctions and what it is that can make these distinctions disappear. A range of different researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) are working hand-in-hand for this purpose – across the boundaries of their own disciplines.
UNIVERSITY COLLECTIONSCuneiform tablets, lumps of coal, and a letter written by Brentano
The research collections held by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) are to be exhibited publicly for the first time in Mainz City Hall. The universal exhibition 'VALUABLES' offers insight into a cross section of various subjects and disciplines. It brings together skulls and prophets, medical instruments and minerals, musical instruments and ancient coins and much more.
EGYPTOLOGY STUDY COLLECTIONFrom the Holy Water of Horus to Akhenaten’s pot belly
Some 30 exhibits are witness to 3,000 years of history. They tell of gods and pharaohs, of raising poultry, of magic water, and of unusual fashions. The Egyptology Study Collection at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) may be small, but it offers a lot of material for learning and teaching, for discovery and discussion.
NUCLEAR PHYSICSWhat holds matter together?
Subatomic particles, muons, quarks, gluons, and their cousins: Physicists working with the MAMI electron accelerator at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) are also playing an important role in the BESIII Experiment in Beijing in China. They are on the trail of the basic building blocks of matter and are thus hoping to pave the way for a New Physics.