Gabriele Berg

Gabriele Berg is a leading Professor in Microbiome Biotechnology at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) and a University Professor for Plant Microbiome Management at the University of Potsdam. With significant roles at Graz University of Technology's Institute of Environmental Biotechnology and leadership in international scientific committees, she bridges agricultural engineering, environmental microbiology, and plant health.

• University of Potsdam, Professor for Plant Microbiome Management
• Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy, Head of Department
• Graz University of Technology, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology

Her research focuses on plant microbiomes, particularly the interactions between mosses and vascular plants in alpine ecosystems. She investigates microbial diversity dynamics, biocontrol mechanisms, and soil-microbiome-plant relationships, with recent work demonstrating mosses' exceptional microbial reservoir capacity and soil type influence on community composition.

Her 2025 research includes studies on:

• Antimicrobial resistomes in plant microbiomes
• Microbiome responses to bioinoculants
• Comparative microbiomes of 'plant-moss twins'
• Functional roles of microbial communities in perennial crops

Scientific recognition includes:

• 2022 Decoration of Honor of Styria
• 2021 Research Prize of Styria
• Heisenberg Fellow (2003)
• Multiple best paper awards (BioTechMed, Frontiers)

She leads international collaborations through Scientific Advisory Boards for EU projects (BIOFECTOR, LIVESEED) and institutions like the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops. Her 2024 appointment as Vice President of the International Society for Microbial Ecology underscores her field leadership.