[1] During the First World War the Institute focussed on nutrition and diet, and how ersatz substitutes could be found for particular foodstuffs which were becoming scarce.

They worked alongside the Kriegsernährungsamt (War Nutrition Office) to try out different food surrogates both for the military and the civilian population.

They also developed aptitude tests for different types of work, such as evaluating distance perception for military drivers, pilots and railway workers.

Furthermore, membrane proteins that play an important role in the synthesis, transport, and homeostasis of cholesterol in the body are examined.

By using biochemical and chemical techniques, researchers identify and develop new tools for the investigation of biologically relevant processes and phenomena.