Organisation
Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms
Division
Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms
The main fundamental research questions in the MBPM division are related to the elucidation of environmental-induced signal transduction pathways in yeast, pathogenic fungi and plants and how these pathways affect phenotypes such as growth, development (plants), immune priming, stress tolerance, fermentation capacity, morphogenesis and virulence. The fungal groups also use yeast as model to investigate infection biology by pathogenic/opportunistic fungi or use humanized yeast strains to elucidate fundamentals associated to protein folding diseases. Several applied research lines have resulted from this fundamental research with the establishment of different spin-off companies, i.e Remynd, ADx Neurosciences and GlobalYeast. Research activities in the plant groups are driven by basic questions, often using a model system (Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, Physcomitrella), but find applications in closely related crops (Brassica, temperate cereals, Lettuce). The different plant groups interact with the plant groups of the Bioscience Engineering Faculty. A joint seminar series was already initiated and joint projects and infrastructure will be aimed for.