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Dr. Thomas Spallek is a Junior Group Leader leading the Plant Biotic Interactions Group at Georg-August University Göttingen, Germany. His research focuses on functional genetics of parasitic plants, interspecific signaling, and haustoria formation mechanisms. Previously, he held roles as Project Leader (2019–2022) and Postdoc (2018–2019) at the University of Hohenheim, with postdoctoral experience at RIKEN (Japan) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (UK). Education: PhD in Plant Biology (Max Planck Institute, Cologne, 2011), Diploma in Biology (University of Konstanz, 2008). Research Interests: Parasitic plant genetics and host interactions Cytokinin signaling in plant-pathogen relationships Cellular and molecular mechanisms of haustorium development Publications span plant-parasite signaling, hormonal regulation, and genomic studies of parasitic weeds. Notable collaborations include work on Striga asiatica genome analysis and cytokinin-driven virulence factors. He is affiliated with the International Research Training Group 2172 - PRoTECT and coordinates the Plant Biotic Interactions research group. His work integrates molecular genetics, bioimaging, and computational tools to dissect plant defense and parasitic strategies.

• Plant Biology
• Parasitic Plant Genetics
• Plant-Microbe Interactions
• +4 more

Pietro Spanu is a Professor of Molecular Plant Pathology at the Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. His work focuses on understanding plant-pathogen interactions, particularly the genomics and molecular mechanisms of powdery mildews. He leads research into how pathogens manipulate host cellular processes and evade immune responses. Key affiliations include the Agri Futures Lab, Fungal Science Network, and Microbiome Network. His research interests span the genomics of powdery mildews, effector proteins, and host-pathogen communication via extracellular vesicles. He employs cutting-edge techniques like AI-guided discovery and transcriptomics to study pathogen virulence and host defense. Recent work highlights effector interference with endosomal complexes, RNA fragment roles in cross-kingdom signaling, and evolutionary dynamics of plant pathogens. Spanu’s contributions include groundbreaking studies on barley and wheat powdery mildews, revealing mechanisms behind fungal adaptation and virulence. His lab integrates molecular genetics, genomics, and computational biology to address agricultural challenges like crop disease resistance and food security. Collaborations span microbiome networks and interdisciplinary platforms like the Industrial Biotechnology Hub.

• Plant Pathology
• Molecular Plant Pathology
• Genomics of Plant Pathogens
• +7 more

Min-Yao Jhu is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Crop Science Centre , affiliated with the University of Cambridge and the Department of Plant Sciences . Her research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, parasitic plant biology, and nitrogen fixation mechanisms. University: University of Cambridge Department: Department of Plant Sciences Academic Rank: Researcher Key Research Areas: Parasitic Plants, Host-Parasite Interactions, Nitrogen Fixation, Plant Genetics Jhu's work explores the genetic and molecular regulation of symbiotic and parasitic plant interactions. Her recent publications highlight advancements in nitrogen fixation biology, parasitic plant resistance mechanisms, and spatial transcriptomics techniques for studying plant development. Her research has significant implications for sustainable agriculture, particularly in reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and enhancing crop resilience against parasitic plants like Cuscuta campestris .

• Parasitic Plants
• Host-Parasite Interactions
• Nitrogen Fixation
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Andreas Schaller is a Professor leading the Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry at the University of Hohenheim. His research focuses on plant peptide signaling, protease regulation, and plant defense mechanisms against pathogens and parasitic organisms. He also serves as Ombudsperson for promoting ethical scientific practices and addressing research misconduct. Key research areas include the biogenesis and function of plant peptide hormones (e.g., CLE, PSK, and systemin), proteolytic processing by subtilases and phytaspases, and the molecular basis of plant-parasite interactions. His work integrates genomic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches, exemplified by contributions to cucumber genome assembly (Cucumber-DB) and advancements in real-time plant defense monitoring systems. Publications highlight breakthroughs in understanding how peptides regulate abscission, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and stress responses. Collaborations span plant-microbe interactions, including studies on how fungal pathogens exploit plant cytokine signaling. Methodological innovations include improved protease assays and isotope-labeling techniques for studying peptide maturation. As Ombudsperson, he advocates for research integrity and ethical conduct within the academic community. His interdisciplinary approach bridges molecular mechanisms with broader ecological and agricultural implications.

• Plant Physiology
• Plant Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• +4 more

Joanne Chory is a renowned Professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. She leads the Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI), focusing on mitigating climate change through plant-based carbon sequestration. Her research expertise spans plant genetics, molecular biology, and environmental biology, particularly in understanding how plants adapt to environmental changes. Chory earned her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Illinois and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. She has pioneered studies on plant steroid hormones and their roles in growth regulation. Her awards include the Wolf Prize in Agriculture (2024), Benjamin Franklin Medal (2024), and Breakthrough Prize (2018). Chory’s work integrates genetics, biochemistry, and environmental science to address global challenges. Her lab at Salk employs advanced genetic tools to study plant responses to light, temperature, and stress. Notable contributions include discovering plant steroid hormone pathways and optimizing root systems to enhance carbon storage. Chory’s initiatives aim to develop plants that sequester more carbon in suberin-rich roots, contributing to climate change solutions while improving agricultural yields. She mentors students and postdocs, emphasizing curiosity-driven science and real-world impact.

• Plant Genetics
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Plant Biology
• +3 more

Karsten Bruno Fischer is a Professor of Plant Molecular Biology and Physiology at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, where he has held a faculty position since 2006. His research focuses on plant molecular biology with particular emphasis on plastid transport systems and parasitic plant interactions. Fischer leads research within the Microorganisms and Plants group and maintains an active publication record with significant contributions to understanding plant-parasite interactions and organelle transport mechanisms. PhD from University of Würzburg, Germany (1988-1992) Diploma in Biology from University of Göttingen, Germany (1987) Junior faculty at University of Cologne (1993-2000) Senior faculty at University of Cologne (2001-2006) Habilitation (2000) Visiting Scientist at University of Arizona (2000-2001) Professor Fischer's research primarily investigates plastid biology, with special focus on metabolite transport across plastid membranes and the molecular mechanisms of parasitic plants, particularly Cuscuta species. His work bridges fundamental plant molecular biology with evolutionary adaptations in parasitic systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding how parasitic plants establish connections with their hosts through specialized structures like the haustorium and how they manipulate host physiology for nutrient acquisition. Analysis of Fischer's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the evolutionary adaptations of parasitic plants, particularly Cuscuta, with research spanning from molecular transport mechanisms to whole-organism interactions. His work demonstrates how these parasitic plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to overcome host defenses, establish nutrient connections, and manipulate host physiology. The research spans multiple scales from gene expression and protein function to whole-plant physiology and evolutionary adaptation, with particular emphasis on plastid biology and intercellular communication between parasite and host. Professor Fischer actively mentors students and collaborates with researchers worldwide, with notable collaborations including Kirsten Krause, Rainer Schwacke, and Andreas P.M. Weber. His research has received support from various funding bodies enabling investigations into plant-parasite interactions, plastid transport mechanisms, and evolutionary adaptations in parasitic plants. Based at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Fischer conducts his research within the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, contributing to the university's focus on northern ecosystems while maintaining international collaborations. His laboratory investigates plant molecular biology with particular attention to parasitic plant systems and plastid transport mechanisms, utilizing molecular, biochemical, and evolutionary approaches to address fundamental questions in plant biology.

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Plant Physiology
• Plastid Biology
• +5 more

Kirsten Krause is a Professor in Plant Molecular Biology at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway . Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation, particularly in parasitic plants like Cuscuta , and their interactions with host organisms. She leads the national graduate school PhotosynTech and contributes to sustainable energy research through the Arctic Centre for Sustainable Energy (ARC) . Education: Diploma in Biology (1994, University of Hamburg); PhD (2000, Universities of Cologne/Kiel); Postdoc (2000-2002, University of Arizona) Her work explores: Molecular networks in Arabidopsis thaliana and Cuscuta species Cell wall degrading enzymes and their biotechnological applications Plastid-nuclear communication in plant cells Recent publications analyze host-parasite gene expression dynamics, enzyme specificity in parasitism, and hyperspectral imaging of root systems. She has received a ToppForsk Grant (2016-2021) and leads major national research initiatives. Her teaching includes courses on green biotechnology and microscopic imaging.

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Parasitic Plant Interactions
• Genomics
• +3 more

Joanne Chory, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. She is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and holds the Howard H. and Maryam R. Newman Chair in Plant Biology. Her research focuses on plant genetics, photosynthesis, and climate change mitigation, particularly through the Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI), which aims to optimize plants' natural carbon sequestration abilities. Education: B.A. in Biology from Oberlin College, PhD in Microbiology from the University of Illinois, and postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. Research Interests: Chory pioneers molecular genetic approaches to study plant growth and development. Her work includes discovering plant steroid hormones' role in growth regulation, uncovering circadian rhythms' influence on gene expression, and developing Salk Ideal Plants™ to combat climate change. Her lab uses cutting-edge genomic and genetic tools to explore how plants adapt to environmental changes. Publications and Impact: Over 200 peer-reviewed articles highlight her contributions to plant biology, including breakthroughs in strigolactone signaling, epigenetics, and shade avoidance mechanisms. Recent work focuses on enhancing root systems to sequester carbon via suberin. Awards: Over 30 prestigious awards, including the Wolf Prize (2024), Breakthrough Prize (2018), and membership in the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Grants & Teams: Leads the HPI and collaborates internationally, leveraging grants from HHMI and others to advance plant-based climate solutions. Her lab includes postdocs, technicians, and students tackling interdisciplinary challenges.

• Plant Biology
• Climate Change Mitigation
• Molecular Genetics
• +3 more

Claude Walker Depamphilis is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University. His research focuses on plant genomics, parasitic plants, evolutionary biology, and molecular genetics, with significant contributions to understanding host-parasite interactions and plant immunity. Recent work includes studies on Theobroma cacao defense mechanisms against pathogens, plastome evolution in parasitic plants like Cuscuta and Convolvulaceae, and the development of gene atlases for crop resilience. He leads or collaborates on NSF-funded projects related to parasitic plant genomics, cacao immunity, and herbarium digitization. Key research trends: Genomic adaptations in parasitic plants (e.g., gene loss, plastome reduction) Host-specific responses in agricultural pests Transcriptomic analysis of cacao development and disease resistance Evolutionary mechanisms in plant genomes Grants & Projects include NSF funding for studies on parasitic plant genomes, plant immunity in perennial crops, and digitization of the Penn State Herbarium to contextualize ecological changes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Plant Biology
• Parasitic Plants
• Genomics
• +3 more

Dr. Lena Maria Mueller is an Assistant Professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, leading the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory. Her research focuses on deciphering molecular mechanisms governing plant-microbe symbiosis, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, to enhance sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration. She collaborates with Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative to develop climate-resilient crops. Education: BSc/MSc Biology, University of Tübingen, Germany PhD Plant Science, University of Zurich, Switzerland Postdoctoral Fellow, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University Mueller's research investigates three core areas: molecular signaling pathways in plant-fungal communication, integration of physiological signals for optimal carbon-nutrient balance, and genetic determinants of symbiosis success under environmental stress. Her work aims to engineer crops that optimize fungal partnerships for improved nutrient uptake and carbon storage. Her publications consistently explore plant-microbe signaling, genetic regulators of symbiosis, and agricultural applications. Recent work emphasizes peptide-mediated communication, transcriptional networks controlling fungal colonization, and engineering symbiotic efficiency in crops like Medicago truncatula. Awards & Honors: Sharon Gray Women’s Young Investigator Award (2020) German Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017) Swiss National Science Foundation Advanced Mobility Fellowship (2017) Best Oral Presentation Award, International Conference on Sexual Plant Reproduction (2014) Mueller leads an international research team including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians. Current projects focus on CLAVATA signaling pathways, fungal peptide mimics, and developing mycorrhiza-enhanced crops. The lab utilizes genetics, molecular biology, and physiology approaches to study plant-microbe interactions.

• Plant-microbe interactions
• Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
• Molecular signaling pathways
• +3 more