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CEPLAS Image Video 

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Next Generation Plant Scientists 

Check out our career options

Establishing a Diverse Research Community 

Equal opportunity support

Discover 

Why is Plant Sciences so exciting?

Olivetree with Verticillium wilt

New insights in fungal genome 

In a new study published in Nature Communications researchers around Bart Thomma identify a key molecule behind severe leaf loss in crop plants.

Category Research

Congratulations to Zarah Sorger! 

CEPLAS Graduate School member Zarah Sorger successfully defended her PhD thesis!

Category Training & Careers

Group of honored women at the 20th anniversary celebration of Selma Meyer Mentoring 2026

Laura Rose honoured as "Top Mentor" 

CEPLAS Researcher was honoured at the 20th anniversary celebration of Selma Meyer Mentoring

Category Equity and Diversity

Viruses as Plant Protectors 

Bacteriophages open up new prospects for more environmentally friendly plant protection.

Category Research

Researchers in the streets at Soapbox Science 2026

Soapbox Science Rheinland Returns for Its Seventh Edition 

Two CEPLAS Early Career Researchers presented hands-on plant research – in a clear and engaging way, and with great passion

Category Equity and Diversity

Prof. Dr. Westhoff doing a lecture

Prof. Dr. Peter Westhoff bids farewell 

Four decades at HHU, characterised by integrity, vision and academic excellence

Category Science communication

CEPLAS-Events

CEPLAS Friday

25/09/2026, 13:00 Category Event Location UoC, Cologne

Speakers: Hilde Nelissen (VIB), Sophien Kamoun (The Sainsbury Laboratory)

CEPLAS Women in Plant Sciences Day

01/10/2026 Category Event Location OASE, HHU

Keynote/Career talk: Prof. Dr. Rosa Lozano-Durán

CEPLAS Friday

30/10/2026, 13:00 Category Event Location HHU, Düsseldorf

Speakers: Gitta Coaker (UC Davis), Julie Law (Salk Institute for Biological Studies)

CEPLAS Friday

27/11/2026, 13:00 Category Event Location MPIPZ, Cologne

Speakers: Myriam Charpentier (JIC), Martin Howard (JIC)

CEPLAS Symposium 2027

15/03/2027 - 16/03/2027 Location HHU, Düsseldorf

Save the date!

About CEPLAS

The Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS) is a joint initiative of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU), University of Cologne (UoC), Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research Cologne (MPIPZ), Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK). In CEPLAS scientists are developing innovative strategies for sustainable plant production. Furthermore, CEPLAS develops tailored training programmes to prepare early career researchers for professional careers in academia and industry.

CEPLAS Movies

CEPLAS Image Movie

CEPLAS in 60 seconds