For the seventh time, the BioNanoTec Week took place at the Faculty of Chemistry and Physics of TU Bergakademie Freiberg from July 17-21, 2023. In total, the 18 registered students:inside from Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony and Greece were able to gain insights into the life sciences and physics and learn about the course of study "Applied Natural Science".

The week began with an introductory lecture to the university by the scientific organizer of the BioNanoTec Week Dr. Tilmann Leisegang and Dirk Damaschke from the public relations department, a subsequent campus tour and a visit to the terra mineralia. Four days of scientific program then followed. The lecture series was opened by Prof. Jens Kortus (Institute of Theoretical Physics), who presented the fascinating world of quantum mechanics in his lecture with impressive experiments. The lecture series was continued by two lecturers from the Institute of Life Sciences. Dr. Michel Oelschlägel (Microbiology/Biohydrometallurgy group) gave insights into synthetic biotechnology in his lecture and presented the use of microorganisms and enzymes in industrial processes. Prof. Michael Schlömann (Environmental Microbiology Working Group) gave a presentation on the use of extremophile microorganisms for the environmentally compatible provision of critical metals. Prof. Daniel Hiller (Institute of Applied Physics) rounded out the lecture series by presenting effects on the nanometer scale, including red luminescent gold.

Following the lectures, the students were able to experience the possibilities of modern electronics, analytics and biotechnology in the university's laboratories through on-site contact with researchers. DNA was isolated from fruit, bacteria were characterized, important analytical methods such as Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were applied, and the students produced and measured their own test chip in the clean room laboratory. The experimental part of the program was complemented by a workshop in which the students were able to build and test a handheld spectroscope, an aluminum-air and zinc-ion battery and a dye-sensitized solar cell themselves.

An excursion to Freiberg's mining history with points of contact for applied natural scientists was led by Prof. Hermann Heilmeier (Institute of Biosciences, head of the biology/ecology working group).

But the highlight was certainly the Alumni Afternoon, in which four former students of applied natural science presented their career paths in a relaxed atmosphere. Afterwards, there was a big pizza dinner with all participants of the BioNanoTec week in beautiful weather and a boisterous atmosphere outside.

The conclusion of the week was Prof. Sabrina Hedrich (Institute of Biosciences) with what must have been a very convincing presentation of the Applied Natural Science course. 100% of the Teilnehmer:innen would recommend the BioNanoTec week further, 88% can imagine themselves even a study at the TU and the first matriculation was already accomplished during the week.

The organization of the BioNanoTec week was carried out by Tilmann Leisegang with the support of the dean of the study program "Applied Natural Science" Prof. Sabrina Hedrich and her deputy Prof. Johannes Heitmann, the department of marketing and student advising of TUBAF as well as all participating scientists:inside, without whom such a week would not be possible.