Ralph Hückelhoven

Prof. Ralph Hückelhoven is a Professor of Phytopathology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Life Sciences. His research focuses on the molecular and biological mechanisms underlying plant diseases, particularly plant immunity, pathogen exploitation of signal transduction, and host-pathogen interactions. He leads the Chair of Phytopathology at TUM since 2006, following academic roles at universities of Kiel and Hohenheim.

• Education: PhD (1999) and habilitation in molecular phytopathology (2005) from Justus Liebig University Giessen, after a biology degree at RWTH Aachen University.
• Awards: Julius Kühn Prize (2004) and leadership of a DFG Junior Research Group (2002-2006).

His research spans plant immunity at cellular and molecular levels, including studies on receptor kinases (e.g., MIK2, LORE), RAC GTPases (e.g., RACB), and metabolomics-driven insights into pathogen resistance. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, examining topics like fungal toxins, volatile signaling, and crop disease management.

• Key publications include work on Arabidopsis immune receptors, barley powdery mildew susceptibility factors, and Fusarium head blight resistance.
• Research integrates genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics to advance disease-resistant crop development.

His lab investigates host-pathogen interactions across scales—from molecular signaling to field epidemiology—contributing to sustainable agricultural strategies against plant pathogens.