Continuation: Science and Research

Research concentrates on establishing areas of emphasis in key technology fields such as biological sciences, materials sciences, information, communications and transport technology. In this connection, the universities and colleges and the non-university research institutions work closely together.

Berlin is investing over 3.5 billion DM in science and research; there are more than 50,000 people working in these areas. The Adlershof science and business complex (WISTA) in the south-east of Berlin is a dynamic development area in the city which aims to become the leading technology park in Europe. A total of 3,500 highly qualified personnel are involved in research, teaching and employment in 236 innovative companies and 13 non-university research institutions (1999). An important crystallisation point for high technology research is the large-scale research installation BESSY II (electron storage ring), a high brilliance synchrotron radiation source which generates high-intensity, brilliant X-ray light which is used for such purposes as materials research. Berlin has a total of nearly 250 non-university research institutions.

With the relocation of the scientific faculties of the Humboldt University to the Adlershof campus and the concentration of research and science on the site it will be possible to achieve synergy, reduce costs and facilitate the transfer of the results of research to industrial applications. In the north of the city, the Berlin-Buch campus is developing into a research centre in biological medicine and medical science. Buch has the highest concentration of clinics, biomedical institutions and new and innovative biotechnology companies in der Federal Republic of Germany.