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CEPLAS Image Video 

Check out our new movie

Next Generation Plant Scientists 

Check out our career options

Establishing a Diverse Research Community 

Equal opportunity support

Discover 

Why is Plant Sciences so exciting?

schematic diagram of the cutting process

Research team ‘trims’ wheat chromosomes 

Research team succeeded in reducing the size of, or even completely removing, chromosomes in plants with large genomes, such as wheat.

Category Research

Gymnosporangium sabinae

Decoding of key infection strategy of fungal pathogens 

Fungi utilize ancient antimicrobial proteins to attack hosts and their microbiomes

Category Research

Pupils in the Laboratory at Girls Day 2026

Girls' Day  

At this year’s Girls’ Day at Heinrich Heine University, schoolgirls were able to experience the work of plant researchers first-hand.

Category Equity and Diversity

A hand holding a little plant

An alliance for life 

Animals and plants work together with their microbes in surprising ways (The article is only available in German)

Category Science communication

Molecular Mechanisms of the fungal colonization

New Insights in Mechanisms of Plant Symbiosis 

A recently published study shows how beneficial fungi can enter cereal roots without triggering an excessive immune response.

Category Research

Panel discussion on Transplant Day

Transforming knowledge, shaping education 

The 6th TRANSPLANT DAY took place on Apr 15 at the University of Cologne under the motto: “Sowing knowledge: transforming excellent research into…

Category Transfer

CEPLAS-Events

CEPLAS Friday

29/05/2026, 13:00 Category Event Location UoC, Cologne

Speakers: Christin Naumann (IBP Halle), Elmar Behrmann (UoC)/Sander Smits (HHU)

Special seminar

03/06/2026, 14:00 Category Event Location HHU, Düsseldorf

Speakers: Gözde Demirer (Caltech), Trevor Nolan (Caltech)

CEPLAS Friday

26/06/2026, 13:00 Category Event Location HHU, Düsseldorf

Speakers: Ute Armbruster (HHU), tba

CEPLAS Friday

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

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

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 UoC, Cologne

Speakers: Myriam Charpentier (JIC), tba

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