Molecular Phytomedicine

Molecular phytomedicine deals with one of the most pressing problems in today's agricultural production: how to manage the production of plants in an efficient, resource-saving and environmentally friendly manner, while at the same time ensuring adequate protection of plants against biotic pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and arthropods. Solutions can only be found on the basis of in-depth knowledge of how pathogens or pests and host plants interact with each other, i.e. how infestation and defence against pathogens, susceptibility and resistance of plants come about at the molecular level.

In our research, we focus on understanding the interaction between plant parasitic nematodes and their hosts. Some groups of these nematodes induce long term feeding sites in the plant roots that serve as exclusive nutrient source. The challenge for the nematodes is to manage the induction and maintenance of the tumor-like feeding site, while plants try to defeat the invaders with the help of their immune system and beneficial organisms that are associated to plants and are able to stimulate plant growth and promote plant health. Plant pathogenic nematodes cause enormous damage worldwide to important agricultural crops such as soybeans, tomatoes, bananas, potatoes and cereals, but also reduce yields in subsistence farming. The damage is mainly caused by the fact that the nematodes deliberately divert important physiological processes in the plant to their advantage and thus prevent the healthy development of the plants.

To achieve our goals, we develop ambitious research projects, use state-of-the-art technologies and build collaborations with partners around the world. Above all, we seek to create a spirit of innovation, collaboration, personal commitment, and responsibility that utilizes and promotes the strengths of each individual and helps to achieve goals together. This spirit is based on sharing, freedom and a high level of intrinsic motivation.