Scientific Research Institutes

A whole series of Fraunhofer and Max Planck Institutes have turned Cologne, Bonn and the surrounding area into central locations for biochemistry and technology. The Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing, founded in Cologne in 2007, supports the establishment of a Life Science Cluster with a worldwide recognition.

At the same time, other scientists and institutions focus on completely different kinds of research and education: while astronauts are trained at the German Aerospace Centre. The Institute of Biochemistry at the German Sport University focuses on doping analysis. In the next few years the German Centre for the Research of Neurodegenerative Illnesses (DZNE) will also open in the region. One area of specialisation will be dementia research.

The research centre Caesar in Bonn devotes itself to microscopic material and, among other things, to nanotechnology; entire planets and suns can be observed at Cologne’s public astronomical observatory.

The regional economy also benefits from this accumulation of top-class scientists and researchers from all over the world. For instance, the Cologne »Round Table on Science« seeks to promote co-operation between science and business. Among other things, it has launched a series of events with periodic lectures under the title »science in the town hall«. Of course, the »Children’s ­University«, the »Aerospace Day« and many other ­activities also rank among the region’s very successful science events.