Dr. Eva Ehrentreich-Förster, the deputy director of the institute, handed over the key to the institute and the microphone to Prof. Bäumner. In the keynote speech "Bioanalytics and bioprocesses in and for changing times", she drew a connection between her research at the University of Regensburg, her own career and the orientation of the Fraunhofer IZI-BB. Finally, she thanked Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Köhl - Institute Director of Fraunhofer IZI, all partners, the state of Brandenburg as well as the state of Bavaria, her working group at the University of Regensburg and the team of Fraunhofer IZI-BB, whose enthusiasm for the Fraunhofer vision she shares: "We don't just want to do research for our interest and for the record - We want to make a difference!"

Prof. Dr. Axel Müller-Groeling - Fraunhofer Executive Director for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization - warmly welcomed Prof. Bäumner on behalf of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V. and emphasized the relevance of biotechnological research for our society. "In times of uncertainty and societal challenges, science and research are our source for answers and solutions. Rapid tests and mRNA technology are just two examples of innovative solutions from bio labs that helped us during Corona."

Minister Dr. Manja Schüle also welcomed Mrs. Bäumner and encouraged guests and employees of the institute with a fitting speech: "With Antje Bäumner and Fraunhofer IZI-BB, what belongs together comes together: With her international experience and her research focus in the fields of biotechnology, bioanalytics and biosensorics, the new director of the Fraunhofer Institute in Potsdam is a perfect fit for the IZI-BB and Brandenburg." She also promoted the planned university medical center in Cottbus IUC as a suitable partner for the institute and the Fraunhofer-Center for Digital Diagnostics. In Brandenburg, new models for our health care system are to be tested that will be able to meet the future challenges of caring for patients in rural areas.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Höhle, Vice President of the University of Potsdam, welcomed Prof. Bäumner at the location in the Potsdam Science Park. The Potsdam Science Park is a growing place of innovation where a variety of stakeholders work closely together. She wished the institute success on its way to a new strategic direction and looked forward to expanding joint research projects. "These collaborations contribute to the development of a well-functioning science ecosystem and also make the Potsdam Science Park more attractive in the international competition of science locations."

Last but not least, Prof. Dr. Susanne Leist, Vice President of the University of Regensburg, had also come all the way from Bavaria to honor the launch of the new partnership. "The University of Regensburg is committed to ensuring that knowledge is accessible and applicable to society, culture, and politics. At the same time, actual applicability is also proof of the relevance, significance and high quality of research. However, a productive transfer process must also function in both directions. The exchange with actors from society, business and politics should certainly also have an impact on research and teaching. An open culture of knowledge exchange is therefore important." She also honored Prof. Bäumner's achievement in developing the Institute for Analytical Chemistry and Chemo- and Biosensorics at the University of Regensburg into the largest analytical institute of its kind in Germany. In the future, this analytical institute of the University of Regensburg will be closely linked to the Fraunhofer IZI-BB. A successful transfer of research to society can be initiated via this connection and a fruitful exchange between basic research and application-oriented research.