BASF Podcast: Hydrophobin - The Raincoat of the Fungi

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, May. 14 /PRNewswire/ --

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- In this Podcast of "Chemistry of Innovations" you will learn how a fungi-protein called "Hydrophobin" can make surfaces water-repellent.

The raincoat on a fungus is not a garment, it is a substance called "Hydrophobin". You will find this protein on the skin of fungi where its job is simply to repel water droplets, to make them roll off the fungi. Because this trait is not only useful to fungi, but can also be used for technical applications as well, scientists from BASF have become interested in Hydrophobin. Using a biotechnological process, they are the first who managed to produce Hydrophobin in a large scale.

BASF Corporate Communications started a regular bilingual Podcast service in April 2007 to report on BASF's innovations andresearch and development activities in an easy-to-understand, informative and entertaining way.

Listen to the audio reportage with Dr. Thomas Subkowski, Dr. Claus Bollschweiler und Dr. Marvin Karos from BASF Fine Chemicals and Biocatalysis Research.

Podcast Chemistry of Innovations, English editions: http://www.basf.com/podcast Direct subscription via RSS-Feed or iTunes (search for "basf"): http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml More information: White Biotechnology at BASF - Fermentation http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/produkte/biotech/weisse_biotech/fermenta

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In these entertaining weekly episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions on Chemistry in our everyday life. This week's edition: What's a bullet-proof vest made of?

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The use of the audio material is royalty-free when naming the source. We appreciate information on the use to podcast@basf.com

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its highvalue products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost EUR58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at http://www.basf.com.

A Podcast is available at: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/16344/basf_se/?keygroup=audio For the UK: BASF plc Chris Wilson Corporate Communications Phone: +44-161-488-5616 Fax: +44-161-488-4133 E-Mail: chris.wilson@basf.com For the US: BASF Corporation Betsy Arnone Corporate Communications Phone: +1-973-245-7865 Fax: +1-973-245-6714 E-Mail: betsy.arnone@basf.com For Europe: BASF SE Rainer Mueller-Mueffelmann Corporate Innovation Communications Phone: +49-621-60-41040 Fax: +49-621-60-20548 E-Mail: podcast@basf.com