Prof. Dr Stefan Schramm, Professor of Organic Chemistry at HTW Dresden - University of Applied Sciences (HTWD), was unanimously elected as the next president of the International Society for Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence (ISBC) at the society’s annual international conference in Thailand at the end of May. His two-year term of office begins in January 2027. This election marks international recognition of Stefan Schramm’s long-standing research into luminescence.

Schramm thus takes the helm of a professional association that has been connecting researchers from academia and industry worldwide for more than three decades. The focus is on research into light generation from chemical and biological processes – a field whose applications range from medical diagnostics and bioelectronics to the study of luminous organisms such as fireflies, deep-sea fish and certain species of fungi.

“I am delighted by this appointment. I also see it as recognition of the intensive work I have been carrying out with my group for over a decade on bioluminescence and chemiluminescence,” said Schramm. In his research group, the team develops new luminescent materials and translates fundamental scientific findings into application-oriented sensor technology. The group is currently involved, among other things, in the Biotronis research consortium, which focuses on transferring bioluminescent reactions to biosensor technology and bioelectronics. The eMatInnoHub consortium project is developing bioluminescent sensors for the detection of pathogens. The team is conducting basic research into the mechanism of bioluminescence in the marine firefly Cypridina hilgendorfii in cooperation with the Japanese research institute AIST. Further projects are in preparation or under application.

As President, Schramm will, together with the Council, coordinate the activities of the international professional association, represent the research field to politicians, industry and the public, and shape the strategic direction of the ISBC. The focus of his two-year term will be on recruiting new members – particularly from the next generation of researchers – building bridges between science and industry, and raising public awareness of the subject. “The applications of bioluminescent and chemiluminescent phenomena range from medical diagnostics to novel materials for bioelectronics. Highlighting this social and economic significance is a particular priority for me, especially as a researcher at a university of applied sciences,” said Schramm.

For HTW Dresden, Schramm’s election as President of the ISBC provides an additional international platform. The university is thus clearly positioning itself within a dynamic field of research at the interface of chemistry, biology, materials science and bioelectronics. Schramm’s network and his international mandate open up new opportunities for collaborations, joint research proposals and professional exchange with institutions and industry partners worldwide.

About the Schramm Lab at HTW Dresden

Prof. Schramm’s research group at HTW Dresden investigates bioluminescent and chemiluminescent phenomena and develops new luminescent organic materials. A particular focus is on translating this basic research into application-oriented sensor technology for biomedicine, environmental analysis and bioelectronics. The group is currently involved in several externally funded collaborative projects and cooperates internationally with institutions in Japan, the United States and Europe.