Research Focus:

In recent years, scientists have realized that we shouldn’t view plants or other organisms in isolation but rather as communities of the host and its associated microbes. This idea is known as the "holobiont" concept, where plants live in close partnership with microorganisms, known as microbiota or microbiomes, which may be permanent or temporary. Although research in this area has progressed, many important questions remain. Our group addresses these questions through our research (see summary and links to our current research projects below).

1. What Shapes Microbial Communities? We study how microbial communities form, adapt, and stabilize around a plant. This includes investigating environmental and genetic factors that help these communities to settle and become stable.
2. How Do Microbes and Plants Communicate? We explore how microbes in these communities interact with each other and with their plant host. Some microbes, like Albugo laibachii, act as "hubs" that help organize these communities and impact plant health. We’re also interested in understanding how plants send signals to their microbes and influence the microbiome around them.
3. How Do Microbial Communities Evolve? Using computer models and experiments, we look at how these microbial communities change over time and whether they evolve alongside the plant. We want to understand if these changes affect how microbes share genes and adapt within the ecosystem.

Our research not only deepens our knowledge of plant-microbe relationships but also offers new ideas for improving plant resilience and productivity in agriculture by carefully managing plant microbiomes.

This SPP Project focuses on understanding the microbiota associated with Lotus corniculatus, a common grassland plant, to uncover how environmental and biological factors shape plant-associated microbial communities. By investigating the microbiota in different plant organs—roots, shoots, flowers, and seeds—we aim to identify organ-specific microbes and understand their roles in supporting plant resilience and health. Our studies reveal that both environmental conditions and plant organ types drive microbial diversity and community structure, offering insights into plant-microbe interactions in natural ecosystems. This project contributes to ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture by exploring how microbiota can enhance plant adaptability and resilience. --> follow here for more details

This SPP Project investigates the role of basidiomycete yeasts, such as Moesziomyces bullatus and Cystofilobasidium species, in shaping microbial communities on Arabidopsis thaliana leaves. Our research reveals that these yeasts interact with bacteria, including Pseudomonas extremaustralis, to enhance pathogen suppression, particularly against Albugo laibachii. By examining these interactions, we aim to uncover mechanisms by which yeasts contribute to community stability and support plant health, offering insights into potential microbiome-based plant protection strategies. --> follow here for more details

The TRR 356 Project explores how microbial interactions in the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana influence the pathogenicity of Albugo laibachii, a common leaf pathogen. Our research focuses on the basidiomycete yeast Dioszegia hungarica, which enhances Albugo colonization by supplying it with an essential vitamin. By identifying genetic mechanisms like the potential vitamin permease in Dioszegia, we reveal how cross-feeding interactions enable pathogen success. This project provides insights into microbial partnerships that affect plant health, with potential applications in microbiome-based plant protection strategies. --> follow here for more details

The Z2 Project within the PlantsCoChallenge Research Unit focuses on capturing and understanding the diversity of stress-related microbiota in plant endophytic niches. By collecting and characterizing microbial communities from various plant species, the project aims to identify microbes that enhance plant resilience under environmental stress. These stress-adapted isolates will be assembled into synthetic communities and tested for their effects on plant health. A strong emphasis on data management and computational modeling enables standardization and integration of findings across the research unit. This project will establish a microbial resource base and predictive models that contribute to microbiome-based strategies for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management. --> follow here for more details

The SP4 Project explores how Cakile maritima (sea rocket) and its associated microbiota adapt to different climatic conditions. This collaborative effort with the groups of Karin Schrieber and Alexandra Erfmeier at Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel, investigates the role of microbial communities in supporting plant resilience to local environmental stress. By sampling northern and southern populations of Cakile, we are isolating and characterizing microbes that may enhance plant adaptation to temperature and moisture variations. The project aims to test the hypothesis that specific microbes contribute to local adaptation, providing plants with increased tolerance to climate-specific challenges. Ongoing research includes assembling synthetic communities and developing computational models to predict microbiota-driven plant resilience. Ultimately, the SP4 project seeks insights into sustainable strategies for enhancing plant resilience in the face of climate change.  --> follow here for more details

This collaborative project aims to enhance rice resilience to iron toxicity, a widespread issue affecting rice production in various parts of Africa. In partnership with the University of Hohenheim and the Laboratoire des RadioIsotopes at Université d'Antananarivo in Madagascar, we explore plant-microbiome interactions to identify microbes that may help rice plants cope with high iron levels. By studying the rhizosphere, root, and leaf microbiomes of different rice genotypes, we are isolating microbes potentially associated with iron detoxification and stress tolerance. Our goal is to develop microbial inoculants that could serve as sustainable, low-cost solutions for smallholder farmers in iron-affected areas. This project is funded by the DFG and supported through joint Africa-focused initiatives between the Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen. Ultimately, we aim to advance sustainable agricultural practices that enhance crop resilience and food security. --> follow here for more details