Theo Smits

Prof. Dr. Theo Smits is a faculty member at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. His research spans plant pathology, bacterial genomics, and environmental microbiology, with a focus on pathogens like Erwinia amylovora and Xanthomonas species.

• Key projects include comparative genomics of Enterobacter and Xanthomonas strains
• Development of diagnostic tools for fire blight and antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Studies on microbial diversity in aquaponic systems and environmental samples

Recent work emphasizes CRISPR typing for epidemiology, mobile genetic elements in pathogenicity, and sustainable agricultural practices via bioponics. Collaborations extend to Central Asia, Brazil, and Singapore, addressing global plant disease and public health challenges.

Notable contributions include pan-genomic analyses, novel species descriptions (e.g., Phytobacter ursingii), and diagnostic assay development. His publications reflect leadership in genomics-driven plant and clinical microbiology.