Arable land, water and nutrients become scarce, while the climate is changing and the world’s population is further increasing. To ensure a sustainable supply with plant-based raw materials, innovative strategies for crop improvement are required.

CEPLAS addresses these grand challenges through world-class fundamental research on complex plant traits of agronomic relevance that impact on yield and adaption to limited resources. This knowledge is essential for designing and breeding plants that react in a predictable way to future challenges.

In addition, CEPLAS has established first-class training and study programmes for students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to train the future generation of plant scientists and bioinformaticians.
 

Scientists involved in the cluster CEPLAS are well-known experts in their respective fields and often have long-standing professional experience. Many are also members in the National Academies of Sciences of Germany, UK and USA, working independently of economic or political interests on scientific topics of social impact and put their results up for public and political discussion and advise stakeholders and politicians.

Topics:

• Sustainable Crop Plants
• Bioeconomy
• Synthetic Biology
• Green and White Biotechnology
• Plant Growth
• Plant Nutrition
• Plant Health
• Microbial Communities in Plants
• Technology Transfer
• Higher Education in Natural Sciences