Carpenter ants are not squeamish when it comes to caring for the wounded. To minimise the risk of infection, the insects immediately amputate injured legs – thereby more than doubling their survival rate.

Healthy growth of wheat, maize and other crops is not possible without the plant's own hormones. Professor Ulrich Hammes is investigating the proteins that help the hormones reach their sites of action.

Fruit flies in the home? Professor Silke Sachse from the Biocentre, an expert on these insects, has some simple tips.

Dr. Mariana Prokopuk studies invasive aquatic plant species and their adaptation to new habitats. She is currently at the University of Würzburg on a Coimbra Group scholarship.