Prof. Karl-Heinz KOGEL for one year at IBMP
The IBMP is very grateful to the Cercle Gutenberg for supporting the visit of Prof. Karl-Heinz Kogel from the University of Giessen in Germany. Prof. Kogel is hosted by Manfred Heinlein. They both work in the field of plant-pathogen interactions with the aim to understand the mechanisms of how pathogens infect plants and to derive novel strategies for plant protection.
Currently, 3 million tons of chemical pesticides are applied to fields each year for plant protection. Because of the risks for nature and human health, France (and Europe) aims to reduce pesticide use by 50% by the year 2030.
In this regard, Manfred Heinlein coordinates a European research program (ERA-net) with Prof Kogel as a partner, which aims to develop conceptionally new and environmentally safe plant protection sprays (based on double-stranded RNA, a nature-derived molecule able to trigger the plants own defense mechanism in a pathogen-specific way).
Karl-Heinz Kogel is professor for Plant Protection and Plant Diseases in Giessen and a profound specialist on plant interactions with fungi. He coordinated several DFG-funded research units (multiple partner consortia) in the field of biotechnology and is also head of a research center for innovative plant protection. He has been Vice President for Research at the University and member of the senate commission of the DFG. He received several prices, for example, the Wissenschaftspreis of the Deutsche Phytomedizinische Gesellschaft. Apart from his world-famous research on plant interactions with fungi with focus particularly on cereals, he is an expert in biological control research, the application and regulation of biocontrol agents and the application of ecological principles.
With this expertise he is a fundamental partner in Manfred Heinlein’s project to develop environmentally safe bioprotectants against fungal and viral diseases in cultivated plants. His visit will allow to further synergize efforts and to enhance communication with the public and stakeholders. French agricultural production is the largest in Europe. Thus, this project can contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture in France and beyond.