School students in CEPLAS lab won first prize

The aim of this project was to investigate the role of beta-glucan-binding proteins (GBPs) in shaping the natural microbiome of barley, a globally important crop species. Amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes from the rhizosphere of barley with functional GBPs, as well as two independent knockout lines lacking GBPs. The results further our understanding of the influence of the plant host on the microbiome.

The students Pola Antonia Kowalski and Leo Noel Bucher will now move on to the Landeswettbewerb Jugend forscht.

Jugend forscht is a joint initiative supported by the Federal government, stern magazine, the business and scientific communities, and schools. The initiative encourages and supports talented achievers in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It seeks to inspire young people to become involved for the long term, and, after the contest, to help them with their careers.