InsightLMU – 2016

Sunscreens are not always toxic to marine organisms - they actually promote the growth of many species of micro algae that form the basis for all life in the sea. In insightLMU, biology student Helena Hager, who uncovered this surprising phenomenon, talks about her intriguing research project, which was funded by Lehre@LMU. For this university-wide program designed to develop novel ideas in tuition and studies, LMU has once again received generous Federal funding. • From the sea bottom to the summit of Mount Sinai: LMU professor Ronny Vollandt discusses the background to a succession of Arabic translations of texts from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, which began to appear in the 8th century - a little known phase in the dissemination of the Scriptures. • And from the South to the far North - to Tartu/Estonia, where students from all over Europe gathered for the very first Winter School in Finno-Ugric Studies as part of the new cooperative venture, entitled "Integrating Finno-Ugric Studies in Europe" (InFUSE), whose aim is to link students enrolled in this niche-subject throughout Europe. • And from northern Europe back to Munich, and two students who have come to LMU from embattled Syria: Samar Shammas was working on her thesis when her house in Damascus was hit by a bomb. Ahmad Al-Nabulsi was at dental school when he was imprisoned for joining a protest against the government. Both are now starting over again at LMU.