OSIRIS is the name of a research project aimed at “optimising school transportation in an integrated regional bus concept within rural structures”, which will adapt public transport planning to changing demographic structures in the region. Another project creates open green spaces rich in biodiversity out of former farmland. Microbiology also plays an important role in Jerichower Land: the laboratory of the internationally renowned MicroPro GmbH is the scene of state-of-the-art microbiological analysis as well as research work for both public and private sector clients. Among the company’s projects are a method to increase tensile strength of hemp fibres and to remove hydrogen sulphide from landfill gas and biogas.