What does the … Professorship for Crop Plant Genetics … actually do?

What specifically are you researching at the new faculty in Kulmbach?

"At the Department of Crop Plant Genetics, we are investigating how plants protect themselves against disease. Like humans and animals, plants also have an 'innate' immune system that is able to recognise and ward off recurring diseases. If we know which substances a plant releases to defend itself against disease, these substances could well be used for plant protection in the future. The research group focuses mainly on bread wheat, which is one of the most important staple foods in the world."

What do you see as the (potential) benefits of this research?

"We see the benefit of our research in improving plant protection over the long term in order to ensure good yields. In addition, many substances that plants release in their immune response also improve human health. We aim to bring these two aspects together in collaboration with colleagues at the other research groups of Faculty VII, and both guarantee crop yields and improve their quality."

Do you cooperate with companies or public institutions in the region? With which ones and in what way?

"As the Crop Plant Genetics research group was only very recently established in Kulmbach, there have not yet been local collaborations with regional companies; however, we are extremely interested in establishing these in the future."