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[Translate to English:] Arabidopsis Pflanze

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[Translate to English:] Feld im Botanischen Garten

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Prof. Dr. Petra Bauer and Dr. Hasthi Ram

ALEXANDER-VON-HUMBOLDT FELLOWSHIP

(07/26)

Dr. Hasthi Ram from National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, India, is conducting research at the Institute of Botany as part of an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship.

His research focuses on the functional exploration of iron homeostasis genes in rice, as well as on the development of iron-enriched rice using CRISPR-Cas technology. The development of rice lines with a higher iron content aims to improve the supply of this important micronutrient and prevent malnutrition.

Further information on this research project can be found in HHU News.

NIGHT OF SCIENCE 2026

(06/26)

Science is fascinating! Visitors can find out about a wide range of research fields at numerous information stands, lectures and panel discussions. More than 60 program items invite visitors to participate, reflect and discuss.

The next Night of Science will take place

on September 11, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m.
on the Schadowplatz and in the Haus der Universität ("University House"), Düsseldorf City.

ISINIP 2026

(06/26)

From June 22–26, 2026, the “International Symposium on Iron Nutrition and Interactions in Plants” (ISINIP) took place in Kanazawa, Japan.

Scientists from around the world gathered to discuss new strategies, findings, and applications related to iron nutrition in plants.

Prof. Dr. Petra Bauer, Dr. Poonam Kanwar, and Marie Knopf, a doctoral student, represented our institute at the symposium.

5. PUKI NEWSLETTER

(06/26)

Here you’ll find our latest PUKI newsletter.

The focus is on changes at PUKI:
A new coordinator, a new design, and a new questionnaire.
You can also follow the development of PUKI data entries from the last data collection seasons, and we’ll give you a glimpse into the future: Will PUKI continue to receive funding? What are our visions?

All about it you can read in the new issue.

We’re thrilled that so many enthusiastic citizens continue to participate and drive the project forward. THANK YOU!

Dr. Lilly Pazurek-Weber, PUKI Coordinator

Head of Institute

Prof. Dr. Petra Bauer

Institut für Botanik
Heinrich Heine Universität
Universitätsstr. 1
40225 Düsseldorf Building: 26.14
Floor/room: 01.75

0211 - 81 13479
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Secretary

Lucia Gold

Institut für Botanik
Heinrich Heine Universität
Universitätsstr. 1
40225 Düsseldorf Building: 26.14
Floor/room: 01.73

+49 211 81-14727
Send Email
Office Hours
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09:00-16:00

Department Biology

PUKI - Citizen Science Project

AG Dr. Alexander Hertle

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Prüfungstermine

How to find us - Building 26.14

NEW PROJECT: ACCLAIMED

(05/26)

The collaborative project “Agri-ecological Farming and Climate-Resilient Land Management for Alkaline Soils in the Mediterranean Region” (ACCLAIMED) is receiving federal funding. This funding supports collaboration with the southern and eastern Mediterranean region as part of the institutionalized partnership “PRIMA” (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area).

The project is being carried out in collaboration with
• University of Tuscia, Tuscia
• Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Giza
• Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid
• Selcuk University, Konya.

The project addresses the challenge that alkaline soils pose to agriculture. In such soils, plants have difficulty absorbing essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and phosphorus. As a result, plants grow more poorly and yield lower harvests. These soils are widespread in the Mediterranean region - especially in North Africa. At the same time, climate change, drought, and intensive agriculture are further exacerbating these problems. The goal is to develop new, sustainable farming methods that work even on difficult soils while also contributing to environmental protection.

SFB-TRANSREGIO TRR341

(05/26)

As has now been announced, the German Research Foundation (DFG) has extended funding for the SFB-Transregio TRR 341 “Ökologische Genetik der Pflanzen” - a collaborative project involving various universities and institutes - for another four years. In addition to the University of Cologne as the lead institution and HHU as a co-applicant, the universities in Bochum, Marburg, and Potsdam, as well as the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, are participating in the project.

The goal of this research project is to investigate the genetic basis for the survival and adaptation of plants to ecological challenges: For example, how do plants react to global environmental changes and limited resources?

Further information under HHU News.

An important aspect of this research project has been and remains the involvement of citizens in the research. The Citizen Science-Project PUKI aims to involve students, experts from the environmental sector, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, school students, and the interested public.

[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Petra Bauer

RP-COLUMN "WISSENSDRANG"

(2026)

Since March 2023, Prof. Dr. Petra Bauer (Institute of Botany) and Prof. Dr. Nicole Teusch (Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology) have been taking turns with philosopher Maria-Sibylla Lotter to discuss scientific topics in this column.

Folge 01/26 (27.01.2026) > Wie leben Pflanzen in der Stadt?

Folge 02/26 (24.02.2026) > Glyphosat oder Alternativen

Folge 04/26 (21.04.2026) > Agrarökologie im indischen Bundesstaat Sikkim

Folge 06/26 (16.06.2026) > Wie KI uns hilft, die Natur zu verstehen

Folge 07/26 (14.07.2026) > Die Gen-Schere richtig regeln

Previous episodes can be found in the news archives.