Labs & Projects

IPS2 is a multidisciplinary plant research institute. At IPS2, we want to better understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms controlling plant growth and their regulation by endogenous and exogenous environmental signals of biotic (symbiotic and pathogens) and abiotic origins, notably in the context of climate change. Analysis of these mechanisms is conducted in an integrated manner at cellular, organ and whole plant levels. IPS2 applies multidisciplinary approaches combining epi/genomics, cell biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, genetics, and physiology, develops modelling to generate a more predictive biology, and facilitates translational research between model species and crops.

Based in the Institute of Plant Sciences of Paris-Saclay and part of the Developmental Genetics and Genomics (DGG) department, the Chromosome Dynamics’ research group focuses its work on the relationships between histone modification, 3D genome organization and the regulation of gene expression in several plant models and physiological contexts. One of our research objectives is to understand how plants deal with DNA damage, and how this cellular response is connected to the response to other types of stresses.

The University of Hamburg is a German elite university and one of the largest research and training sites in Europe located at the heart of Hamburg, one of the biggest and most popular cities of Germany. The Institute for Plant Sciences and Microbiology (IPM) is one of the four biology-oriented institutes of the University of Hamburg and provides a vibrant international atmosphere, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, to carry out first-rate training and conduct world-class research. The Department of Developmental Biology at the IPM studies the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic stability and change. Particular focus is on environmental stresses, such as heat and DNA-damaging factors, and how they affect cell division and growth. The overall aim is to identify factors that allow the modulation of plant growth and survival during stress as possible targets to be translated into crop breeding programs.

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology represents a world-class centre of excellence with more than 300 researchers. We study fundamental plant processes through innovative methods and state-of-the-art technologies, using experimental and computational approaches. The center’s mission focuses on addressing climate change, advancing sustainable agriculture, and conserving biodiversity through innovative plant research. Our goal is to help create a sustainable future where ecological is maintained.

The Cell Cycle team aims at deciphering the different pathways that control cell division in response to environmental conditions. A major research line relates to the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway, representing a highly controlled gene regulatory network being critical for the maintenance of genome integrity. Up to date, the description of the DDR in plants has been largely focused on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Consequently, our knowledge about the DDR in other plants is scarce. With the help of the revolutionary CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, we study DDR signalling in maize. These plants are used to study the contribution of the DDR pathway on the yield and genome stability of crops. Eventually, this knowledge will be used to obtain DNA damage tolerant varieties, aiming to increase the resilience of plants to climate change.

PGFG is a part of the University of Silesia in Katowice, which is the biggest University in the Silesia region of Poland.

How plants are coordinating their growth and development in the face of a constantly changing environment is more than fascinating. Our privilege is the opportunity to get insight into genetic mechanisms standing behind plants’ developmental program, and their efficient way of reprogramming the metabolism when exposed to stress.  PGFG group is interested in identifying the genes and their mechanisms of action by which plants develop and cope with abiotic stresses – we use barley and Arabidopsis as model organisms for genetic and molecular investigations of signaling networks.

At PGFG, we employ translational genomics and transcriptomics, with particular emphasis on analyses based on high-throughput sequencing (NGS, TGS), as well as genetic transformation and gene editing techniques to identify and study the functions and mechanisms of gene regulation related to selected developmental processes and response to environmental stresses in plants.

The Institute of Phytopathology at Justus Liebig University is part of theiFZ Research Centre for Biosystems, Land Use and Nutrition, a leading centre in the EU with about 300 researchers. The mission of the centre is on the sustainable use of natural resources to ensure sufficient, healthy food and an environment fit for human beings under changing climates. It includes all aspects of applied and fundamental plant research and ranges from field-based ecosystem studies to crop breeding and molecular processes of plant adaptation to climate stress. For this, the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure for molecular and cell biological analyses, unique plant growth facilities and several field research stations.

Environmental stress such as heat stress inhibits plant development. At the Institute of Phytopathology, we want to understand the interaction and interference of plant stress and developmental pathways. We are particularly interested in understanding the interconnection of the highly regulated DNA damage response (DDR) and heat stress pathways with plant growth and development processes. While we have a solid understanding of principle regulatory processes we lack the necessary molecular and genetic details of these pathways. Combining single cell transcriptomics and targeted bioinformatics on transcription factors, we study plant growth-regulating processes under stress at single cell resolution. With the help of functional genetics we aim to uncouple DDR and stress responses from growth regulation to receive plants with robust development under climate stress.

IEB is the prime research institute for basic plant sciences in the Czech Republic. Its labs conduct research in plant genetics and genomics, physiology and biotechnology. The IEB centre in Olomouc is a wold-wide recognized hotspot for plant genome research. The institute’s motto is “Cutting edge research for public well-being” and IEB coordinates the program “Foods for the Future” of the Czech Academy of Sciences that offers the latest technologies and know-how for the purpose of plant breeding. The research team chromatin Organization and Function, led by Ales Pecinka, focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for the (1) 4D organization of plant genomes (2) DNA repair in the context of chromatin and (3) epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in plant development and stress responses. Our favorite models include fast growing dicot Arabidopsis and economically improtant diploid cereal barley.

The HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged (HUN-REN BRC Szeged), is a leading institution in Hungarian biological research with international recognition. The HUN-REN BRC comprises four institutes: Biophysics, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Plant Biology, employing about 260 scientists. Research spans molecular and cell biology, including industrial bacterial use, cultivated plant enhancement, human health, and environmental protection. Though primarily a basic research centre, HUN-REN BRC scientists significantly contribute to biotechnological company development and education. Their high-quality research has been acknowledged by the European Molecular Biological Organization (EMBO), and in 2000, the European Union designated HUN-REN BRC as a “Centre of Excellence.”

The Regulation of Plant Morphogenesis group aims to understand the flexible growth and developmental strategies of plants that enable repeated adaptation to changing environments. We seek to identify key molecular players central to controlling plant morphogenesis while responding to environmental changes. We hypothesize that such mechanisms enable plants to adjust their form and function based on environmental conditions. Beyond enhancing basic biological knowledge, this research could lead to the development of improved plant varieties that can either adapt or maintain growth under adverse conditions, depending on breeding objectives. Our laboratory, among other topics, investigates plants’ developmental response to increased ambient temperatures in light of forecasted climate change scenarios.

The Department of Biology and Biotechnology (DBB) gathers scientists from multiple disciplines of animal and plant science, interacting in a stimulating research environment. In 2018, DBB has been awarded by multi-million funding ‘Department of Excellence’ for infrastructure upgrade and excellence recruitment. DBB currently coordinates the Research Doctorate in Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology. Seed Molecular Physiology Laboratory (SMP)-DBB and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory (PBL)-DBB own a long-term experience in the study of the molecular bases of seed quality and DNA damage response (DDR) in plants.

The Research Team led by Alma Balestrazzi focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the seed response to priming in model and crop species by i) looking at the role of DNA damage response and genome maintenance mechanisms in the context of the pre-germinative metabolism, and ii) exploring the complex dynamics of the seed transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome as sources of novel seed quality hallmarks. Knowledge from basic research is translated into improved seed priming protocols, aligned with the need of smart and sustainable solutions to improve crop resilence in the current climate change scenario. 

We in Labdeers develop state-of-the-art technology for single-seed and seed-to-plant phenotypical analysis, while providing our experience and know-how in the form of expert scientific services. We found a way of non-invasive individual seed processing and analysis starting at 80um size, suitable for small seed species analysis including the Arabidopsis. Our international team consists of specialists in plant molecular biology and genetics, electro, mechanical and software engineering. Common interdisciplinary understanding is a key point for the realization of project ideas with the emphasis to plant science. We focus on plant research as a priority for life in the second millennium.

The model plat Arabidopsis thaliana is used by thousands of scientists worldwide. By testing the Arabidopsis seeds we showed that both precise seed-to-seed positioning and seed phenotyping have a direct impact on the early postembryonal plant growth. The early postembryonal growth is in the main focus of basic research as well as of breeders in-field application. In this project, we would like to implement new strategies of seed phenotyping and examine our results in other plant species.

Technolgy-driven science is one of the cornerstones of science development in all areas of research. As part of our team at Labdeers s.r.o. (a Start-up), you will gain experience in a dynamic work environment in non-academic sector. You will have the opportunity to work in the Seed Phenotyping Centre and contribute to the development of computional algorithms to better understand individual seed traits and its possible impact to plant growth.  Additionally, the project allows you to conduct advanced analytical and molecular biology techniques at our partner institutions, including the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Olomouc, CZ) and Université Paris-Saclay (France, Prof. C. Raynaud). Your studies will be supported by Masaryk University in Brno, which is recognized as one of the top 400 universities in the QS World University Rankings/2023. We look forward to your application and the possibility of working together in advancing plant genetics research.