Plant Biotechnology and Functional Genomics

We contribute to this development using methods of molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, AI, genetic editing/engineering, tissue culture, and metabolic engineering. Plant biotechnology has provided powerful tools that greatly assist plant-breeding programs worldwide in the development of robust new crops for cultivation in a changing climate.

Key focus areas In national and international collaborations, we leverage collective competencies in pursuing high quality project outcomes. We primarily conduct research in the following sub-areas:

• Development of reproductive and storage organs and the roles of transcription factors and balances of other genetic factors for the induction of organ differentiation and sink development including understanding of environmental effects to improve yield and robustness of crops.

• Lipid biosynthesis and signalling research on the two neutral lipid storage compounds, triacylglycerol and wax esters. The aim is to understand the complex regulation and interplay of the biosynthesis and to use this knowledge to create improved oil crops with new qualities for various applications.

• Carbohydrate biosynthesis and signalling research with a focus on starch including signalling for induction of starch biosynthesis and factors of importance for starch granule initiation. Findings from basic research are leveraged to applications for increased yield and quality.

• Storage protein biology research on storage protein composition and genetic factors contributing to storage protein content leading to applications for the improvement of quantitative and qualitative parameters in crops.

• Plant inflorescence/flowering research on meristem transitions from vegetative growth to the induction of inflorescence and flowering is crucial for plant architecture and earliness impacting adaptation and yield of crops in diverse environments.

• Functional genomics of bioactive compounds employing a wide range of methods/tools to map out gene networks related to bioactive compounds. We identify genes crucial for desired and undesired compounds in a range of crops.

• Plant cell totipotency and tissue culture research allowing propagation and regeneration from tissue or cell samples of diverse crop species. Findings are applied for somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis and introducing genetic modifications in plant breeding and crop improvement.

• Plant gene editing/genetic modification methodology research for extending the gene editing toolbox is a central theme where we are developing methodology to improve efficiency and designing exact outcomes of introduced genetic variation.

Teaching

We are responsible for teaching plant biotechnology, plant biochemistry, plant physiology and related areas including regulatory and legal aspects at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. We actively support capacity building as main and co-supervisors of master and PhD students, furthermore in the supervision of postdoctoral positions.

Societal interaction

Many industry and other societal stakeholders have an active involvement in our projects. In addition, we have an extensive engagement in the public debate and media on the future development of agriculture in a sustainable direction. A third area of activity is that we are often called as experts or giving opinion to referrals and policies on the legislation and use of plant biotechnology.