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Philip Poole is a Professor of Plant Microbiology at the University of Oxford's Department of Plant Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at Somerville College. His research focuses on plant-microbe interactions, nitrogen fixation, and rhizosphere microbiology. He has led major international projects including the BBSRC-NSF Synthetic Symbioses program (2014-2019) and the India-UK Nitrogen Fixation Consortium (2016-2019). With 26 grants as PI from the UK's BBSRC, he has secured over £10.5 million in funding. His work includes pioneering bacterial Lux biosensors for metabolite analysis, transcriptomics under sterile conditions, and metatranscriptomics in soil to study microbiome-plant interactions. Current projects model nitrogen fixation biochemistry in legume nodules and investigate rhizobia lifecycle transitions from rhizosphere colonization to symbiotic bacteroid differentiation. He co-directs the Oxford Centre for Plants for the 21st Century and serves on editorial/advisory boards for Microbiology UK, The Journal of Bacteriology, and Pivot Bio. His contributions include elucidating the ammonia-alanine pathway for nitrogen secretion and demonstrating symbiotic auxotrophy dependencies in bacteroids. Key achievements include developing global mutagenesis strategies (INSeq) and advancing understanding of microbial community structures in the rhizosphere. His research integrates molecular, genetic, and systems biology approaches to address global challenges in sustainable agriculture.

• Nitrogen Fixation
• Plant-Microbe Interactions
• Rhizosphere Microbiology
• +3 more

Professor Ray Dixon Ray Dixon is a Research Professor and Project Leader at the Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, and co-Director of the CAS-JIC Centre for Excellence in Plant and Microbial Sciences in Beijing/Shanghai. He has been an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences since 1998. His career spans over four decades in bacterial nitrogen fixation research. Education: B.Sc. (Microbiology, University of Reading, 1969), D.Phil. (Microbial Genetics, University of Sussex, 1973). Research Focus: Regulation of biological nitrogen fixation by environmental signals (oxygen/nitrogen/metal availability). His lab pioneers synthetic biology approaches to engineer nitrogen fixation into plants, aiming to enhance sustainable agriculture. Achievements: Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (1999), EMBO Member (1987), recipient of the Adam Kondorosi Award (2019) and Fleming Award (1983). Over 30 years of leadership in international scientific committees and funding panels. Key Contributions: Pioneered understanding of nif gene regulation, discovered novel nitrogenase systems, and developed polyprotein strategies for synthetic biology applications. Collaborates globally through initiatives like CEPAMS and UBNFC.

• Biological Nitrogen Fixation
• Transcriptional Regulation
• Signal Transduction
• +3 more

Stefanie Wienkoop is a University Professor at the University of Vienna's Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology within the Life Sciences faculty. She serves as Vice-Director of Studies for Ecology and Evolution and is part of the Directorate of Doctoral Studies. Her research focuses on plant-microbe interactions using advanced proteomic and metabolomic approaches. Her primary research interests center on molecular plant-microsymbiont interactions, particularly examining how legumes interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria under environmental stress conditions. She investigates drought stress responses, symbiotic nitrogen fixation mechanisms, and the molecular systems biology of plant-microbe relationships using mass spectrometry and other omics technologies. Her work bridges fundamental plant biology with practical applications for improving crop resilience in changing climate conditions. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on plant stress responses, particularly drought tolerance mechanisms in various plant species including legumes, maize, and barley. Her research integrates proteomics, metabolomics, and systems biology approaches to understand how plants adapt to environmental challenges at the molecular level. A recurring theme is the investigation of symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes as a strategy for enhancing stress tolerance while maintaining growth performance. Professor Wienkoop leads the SYMPROFERR project (P 33930), funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), which investigates the role of ferritin in nodule formation, symbiosis functioning, and priming of drought tolerance. This project runs from March 2021 to February 2024 and represents a significant research investment in understanding plant-microbe interactions under climate stress. She actively supervises multiple PhD and Master's students, including Carlos Perez-Rizquez, Sebastian Schneider, and others who have made notable contributions to the field. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on molecular ecology of plants, proteomics in systems biology, and biodiversity research. She is also involved in organizing major international conferences in plant proteomics and nitrogen fixation research, demonstrating her leadership in the international scientific community.

• Plant-Microbe Symbiosis
• Molecular Plant-Microsymbiont Interaction
• Plant Proteomics
• +7 more

Dagmar Woebken is Associate Professor and Head of the Department for Microbiology and Ecosystem Science at the University of Vienna, where she leads the Division of Microbial Ecology. Her research investigates microbial survival strategies in challenging soil habitats, particularly focusing on adaptation mechanisms to environmental stressors. Research encompasses three primary themes: Dormancy and reactivation dynamics in desert soil microbial communities Assembly and function of plant-associated microbiomes Ecological success factors of Acidobacteria in terrestrial environments Her group employs molecular techniques including metagenomics, stable isotope probing, and single-cell approaches (NanoSIMS, Raman microspectroscopy) combined with cultivation-based methods. Publications demonstrate expertise in: Microbial adaptation to extreme environments Plant-microbe-nutrient interactions Genomic basis of bacterial ecological strategies Recent work increasingly utilizes advanced imaging and isotopic tracing to investigate microbial processes at cellular scales. Dr. Woebken pioneered the NifMAP bioinformatic pipeline for analyzing nitrogen-fixing communities and developed methods combining Gold-FISH with NanoSIMS for targeted analysis of plant-associated bacteria. She leads research projects on microbial symbioses funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). She directs a research group investigating microbial ecology across ecosystems from deserts to forests. Current projects include studies of ant-plant-microbe associations and microbe-mediated nitrogen cycling in grasslands. The group maintains collaborations with international institutions and participates in public outreach through science communication platforms.

• Microbial Ecology
• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Dormancy
• +3 more

Sabine Seidel is a full Professor at the Institute of Crop Production, Department of Agrarwissenschaften, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). Her research integrates plant modeling, sustainable agriculture, and digital farming to enhance climate-resilient and resource-efficient crop systems. Her research interests focus on the development and testing of innovative, diverse (organic) cultivation systems, particularly mixed cropping and intercropping. She investigates ecosystem services such as yield and greenhouse gas emissions through measurements and modeling. Her work emphasizes the interactions between genotype, environment, and management (G×E×M), especially concerning water, nitrogen, and root dynamics. She also explores root growth responses to nutrient deficiency and drought stress, and leads initiatives in digital farming, including AI tools for pollinator detection and digital twin development in agriculture. Analysis of her recent publications (2024–2025) reveals a strong trend in interdisciplinary research combining field experiments with advanced modeling. Her work spans agroecosystem modeling, intercropping systems (especially wheat and faba bean), soil-crop interactions, and the application of AI and machine learning in agriculture. She frequently contributes to multi-model studies and calibration protocols, emphasizing model accuracy and validation. Her research is highly collaborative, involving teams across Germany and Austria. Root:shoot ratio under conservation tillage Phenotypic plasticity in winter wheat Resource acquisition in intercropping Digital crop growth simulation using GANs Soil carbon sequestration and organic matter dynamics She has been actively involved in the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence as a junior research group leader (2020–2025), focusing on optimizing plant mixtures through field experiments and modeling. Prior to this, she conducted postdoctoral research on subsoil management at the University of Bonn. Her work bridges ecology, plant science, soil science, and digital technologies. She earned her doctorate on plant modeling and irrigation from the Technical University of Dresden and studied agricultural sciences at the Technical University of Munich. She is based in Vienna and maintains an active presence in knowledge transfer, with media contributions in print and online outlets discussing sustainable farming practices.

• Organic Farming
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Crop Production
• +13 more

Gabriele Gollner is a Researcher at the Department of Soil and Cultivation Systems (ANBAU) within the Institute of Organic Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (iOELA) at BOKU University in Vienna. Her work focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in organic farming systems, with an emphasis on soil health, crop management, and agroecological innovations. Research Areas: Cover crop systems and reduced tillage practices Biological nitrogen fixation in legumes Climate-resilient cropping strategies Allelopathic interactions in agroecosystems Organic fertilizer and soil physical trait optimization Recent Research Trends: Her work emphasizes practical applications of regenerative agriculture, including roller-crimper no-till methods, allelopathic weed management, and intercropping systems to enhance system resilience. Over 15 peer-reviewed articles since 2010 highlight her contributions to organic farming systems research. Labs/Teams: Leads the ANBAU Soil & Cultivation Systems group, collaborating on projects related to soil fertility, crop ideotype development, and agroecological transition strategies. Her office is located at Mendelhaus South Wing, 3rd Floor, Room 10.1.

• Organic Farming Systems
• Soil Science
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +4 more

Reinhard Neugschwandtner is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Agronomy , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna . His research focuses on sustainable crop production, soil science, and precision agriculture in Pannonian climates. Key projects: Agri-photovoltaic systems, digitalization in agriculture, drought-tolerant legumes, autonomous robotics in crop technology Leadership roles: Project leader in 8+ research initiatives since 2014 Research Interests : Dr. Neugschwandtner specializes in: Soil health and earthworm ecology under different tillage systems Nitrogen dynamics in legume-cereal intercropping systems Digital tools for canopy parameter estimation and precision farming Life cycle assessment of agricultural practices Climate-smart crop management strategies Scientific Awards : Awardee of five prestigious honors including: Kardinal-Innitzer-Förderungspreis (2017) Klaus Fischer Innovationspreis für Technik und Umwelt (2016) Walter-Kubiena-Preis (2008) BISi Award (2003) Publications & Presentations : Over 171 publications and 102 presentations focusing on: Long-term tillage experiments Winter crop adaptation Intercropping efficiency Digital agriculture tools Soil nutrient dynamics

• Agronomy
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Crop Production
• +5 more

Silvia Bulgheresi is an Associate Professor at the University of Vienna , leading the Environmental Cell Biology Group within the Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology. Her research focuses on the cell biology and physiology of animal-attached bacteria , particularly marine nematode-bacterium symbioses and oral cavity symbionts, with an emphasis on host immune responses and bacterial division mechanisms. Fields of Interest: Symbiosis, Microbial Ecology, Bacterial Cell Biology, Host-Microbe Interactions, Chemosynthetic Symbionts, Chromosome Biology Scientific Contributions: Her recent publications highlight innovations in bacterial division patterns, chromosome stability, and environmental adaptation. Current projects explore the role of the SMC complex in symbiont chromosome folding and the Genome Instability PhD program. She has supervised numerous PhD and Master students, including Niels Heindl and Nikolaus Leisch. Key Awards: EMBO Member (2014) European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Member (2024) Labs & Collaborations: As part of the Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, her work intersects with research groups such as the Schleper Lab and Rittmann Lab, addressing microbial nitrogen cycling, marine symbioses, and bacterial genome plasticity.

• Symbiosis
• Microbial Ecology
• Bacterial Cell Biology
• +7 more

Dr. Barbara Bayer is Assistant Professor at the Division of Microbial Ecology, University of Vienna. Her research investigates microbial processes governing carbon and nitrogen cycles in aquatic ecosystems through isotope techniques, cultivation, and multi-omics approaches. Research focuses on: Microbe-environment interactions in oceans/lakes Microbial methane cycling paradoxes Nitrogen transformation processes Novel microorganism discovery Her ERC Starting Grant examines eutrophication impacts on methane cycling. Publications analyze metabolic responses of chemolithoautotrophs, ammonia oxidizer contributions to carbon fixation, and metabolite-mediated microbial interactions. Awards: ERC Starting Grant; FWF START Award

• Microbial Ecology
• Aquatic Microbiomes
• Carbon Cycling
• +2 more

Stefan Gorka is a Researcher at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science , active since 2019. His work focuses on soil microbial ecology, root exudation dynamics, and biogeochemical interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. Soil Microbiology Microbial Ecology Environmental Systems Science Plant-Soil Interactions Fatty Acid Analysis Mycorrhizal Networks His research involves innovative methodologies like microdialysis and high-throughput lipid extraction to study microbial metabolite dynamics, carbon allocation, and nutrient cycling. Recent publications highlight microbial preference for organic acids over sugars, temporal metabolite shifts in rhizospheres, and advancements in soil microbial community analysis. Stefan has contributed to 9 peer-reviewed publications and delivered 12 academic activities (talks/posters) since 2016, including collaborations with institutions like University of Vienna and international research teams. His work bridges microbial physiology with ecosystem-scale carbon dynamics.

• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Environmental Systems Science
• +3 more

Melina Kerou is a Researcher in the Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology within the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Vienna. Her work focuses on archaeal ecology, particularly ammonia-oxidizing archaea and their role in nitrogen cycling processes. She actively contributes to multiple research projects including AOP (Ammonia Oxidation Process in Archaea), ACTIONr (Reducing Reactive Nitrogen Losses), and TACKLE (TACK Superphylum Evolution), with funding extending through 2027. Her research interests center on microbial ecology, specifically ammonia-oxidizing archaea physiology, nitrification processes, soil microbiome dynamics, and sustainable agricultural applications. Kerou investigates how microbial communities influence nitrogen cycling in various environments, with particular emphasis on biological nitrification inhibition in agricultural systems. Her work bridges fundamental microbial ecology with practical applications for sustainable food production and environmental protection, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water and responsible consumption. Recent publications demonstrate her focus on archaeal carbon metabolism, wheat root exudate chemistry, and laboratory sustainability practices. Kerou actively participates in scientific discourse through conference presentations, workshop panels on biological nitrification inhibition, and media engagements promoting sustainable research practices. She contributes to initiatives like Green Labs Austria and participates in European networks focused on sustainable life science research infrastructure. Kerou's collaborative approach is evident in her extensive network of co-investigators across multiple institutions. Her research activities include field studies in diverse environments from agricultural soils to French Guiana's caiman habitats, examining microbiome contributions to environmental processes. She also engages in science communication through radio appearances and public discussions about extremophiles and sustainable research practices.

• Microbiology
• Archaea Ecology
• Nitrification Processes
• +4 more

Stephanie Eichorst is a Researcher at the University of Vienna's Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science. She joined the university in 2012 after completing her PhD at Michigan State University, followed by postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Lab and a research position at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (USA). Her research focuses on soil microorganisms, particularly Acidobacteriota (Acidobacteria), investigating their survival strategies under energy limitation. Key research areas include: Atmospheric gas oxidation as a survival mechanism Factors governing terminal oxidase usage in soil microbes Physiological flexibility of Acidobacteriota Microbial responses to climate stress and warming Her publication record shows consistent output since 2012 with 28 publications to date, demonstrating increasing focus on atmospheric trace gas metabolism and climate change impacts on soil microbiomes. Recent work emphasizes lipidomics, necromass biomarkers, and metabolic adaptations to nanomolar oxygen conditions. She leads significant research projects including: Faktoren, die mikrobielle terminale Oxidasen beeinflussen (2025-2028, active) ubiquitären Acidobact. (2013-2019, completed) Funkt.Analyse v.Stickstoff-Fix (2013-2017, completed) Her editorial work includes serving on the board of Frontiers in Microbiology (2020-2021), and she has presented at numerous conferences including the 'Journey into microbial life on earth' event (2019). Her research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to environmental protection and climate action, with fingerprint analysis showing strong expertise in Acidobacterium (100%), Soil Microflora (95%), Phylum classification (83%), and Microorganism studies (69%).

• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Ecology
• Atmospheric Gas Oxidation
• +5 more

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad M. Manschadi is a leading researcher at the Institute of Agronomy within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) . With a focus on Crop Growth Modelling , Smart Farming , and Climate Change Adaptation , his work bridges mechanistic plant models with AI and remote sensing technologies. Current projects include CropSense , digital.twin.plant , and COMBIRISK , funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and European Commission. His research explores nitrogen use efficiency , root system dynamics , and digital phenotyping in crops like wheat, maize, and soybean. Scientific Awards : Queensland Premier’s Excellence Award for Innovation and Creativity (2005) Key Contributions : Supervised 18 theses, developed climate-adaptive crop management tools, and pioneered integration of APSIM and SSM-iCrop models in Austrian agriculture.

• Crop Growth Modelling
• Cropping Systems Simulation
• Smart Farming
• +4 more

Dr. Stephanie A. Eichorst is a Senior Scientist at the University of Vienna's Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, specifically within the Division of Microbial Ecology (DOME). She joined the University of Vienna in 2012 after completing her PhD at Michigan State University, followed by postdoctoral work at Los Alamos National Lab and research at the Joint BioEnergy Institute in the USA. Her research program centers on the physiology of soil microorganisms, with particular emphasis on members of the Acidobacteriota phylum. This ubiquitous bacterial phylum comprises astonishing diversity across soils worldwide, yet its functions remain largely unknown due to limited cultivated representatives. Dr. Eichorst's work seeks to elucidate the ecophysiology of Acidobacteriota to understand their success and ubiquity in soil environments. Her research employs a multidisciplinary approach combining genomics, transcriptomics, growth-based experiments, enzyme kinetics, and molecular analyses. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on microbial survival mechanisms under energy limitation, particularly atmospheric gas oxidation (including H 2 ) and the role of different terminal oxidases in soil microbes. Her work demonstrates how these physiological capabilities explain the success of Acidobacteriota in heterogeneous soil environments. She has also pioneered single-cell method development for exploring soil microbial activity using techniques like FISH, NanoSIMS, and Raman microspectroscopy combined with stable isotope tracers. Dr. Eichorst leads active research projects including 'Faktoren, die mikrobielle terminale Oxidasen beeinflussen' (2025-2028), demonstrating her continued leadership in the field. Her work contributes to understanding soil microbial communities that play crucial roles in biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functioning.

• Soil Microbiology
• Microbial Physiology
• Acidobacteriota Research
• +7 more

Dr. Rebecca Hood-Nowotny is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Soil Research , University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. She holds a PhD in Soil Science from the University of Reading (1990-1993) and an MBA from the Open University (2004-2006). Research Focus : Stable isotope applications in soil-plant systems, biochar for carbon sequestration, heavy metal remediation in post-mining soils, and climate change impacts on agroecosystems. Publications : 15+ recent works examine soil regeneration in Indonesia, drought stress detection in forests, and UAV-based greenhouse gas monitoring. Scientific Recognition : Recipient of the Elisa Richter Fellowship for nitrogen cycling research. Led WWTF-funded projects like the Nitrogenome Project (2006-2008).

• Soil Science
• Environmental Science
• Stable Isotope Analysis
• +5 more