Passion of science in partnership

The history of Microscopy Services GmbH Dähnhardt begins with a spin-off from the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology at the University Clinics Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH).

Stephan Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer, Dipl. Ing. in Life Sciences, has his scientific roots in Hamburg. At the Heinrich-Pette Institute for Experimental Virology and Immunology at the University of Hamburg, his passion for electron microscopy was kindled early on. From 2000 to 2007 he was the Technical Director of Central Microscopy of the University of Kiel.

A special understanding of the requirements of dermatologically active companies was gained at Beiersdorf AG where he worked from 1993 to 2000. In order to merge the economic needs with the scientific offers, he and his wife, Dr. Dorothee Dähnhardt, founded the Microscopy Services Dähnhardt GmbH in 2008. With her PhD in biology, she not only added her scientific expertise but also provided extensive knowledge in quality development, public relations, entrepreneurship and fundraising.

The UKSH as well as other prestigious research institutions immediately saw the potential of this spin-off and supported the sound startup from the beginning. Stephan Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer also benefitted from his excellent networking in the compilation of the initial laboratory equipment. Today, numerous institutes benefit through cooperation and make extensive use of the services unique in Germany. Meanwhile, many well-known pharmaceutical companies are among the regular customers.

Christel Schmetz, former head of electron microscopy at the Bernhardt Nocht Institute, became somewhat infected by the enthusiasm of the two and brought her immense practical experience into the startup company.

Dr. Dorothee Dähnhardt, Christel Schmetz, Dipl. Ing. Stephan Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer
Dr. Dorothee Dähnhardt, Christel Schmetz, Dipl. Ing. Stephan Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer

Microscopy Services Dähnhardt is a prime example of a successful spin-off which benefits daily from excellent complementary skills of Dr. Dorothee Dähnhardt and Dipl.-Ing. Stephan Dähnhardt-Pfeiffer. The couple, from a strong and deep passion for their common profession, has developed Lipbarvis® the patented method for non-invasive sampling of the skin. 750 to 1000 Lipbarvis® samples, as well as about 50 to 100 freeze-fracture analyses per year impressively underline the functioning of this carefully planned and passionately implemented business model.