idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The Plant Viruses Department at the DSMZ ensures the safe transfer of genetic resources using state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, thereby making a key contribution to global food security
The Department of Plant Viruses at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH in Braunschweig, Germany, led by Dr Björn Krenz, protects this extremely important food crop through the secure global exchange of cassava plant material. Cassava is vital for hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Similar to the potato, it originates from South America and provides starch and energy for one of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Yet climate change and new plant diseases are putting increasing pressure on these crops. The scientific response lies in targeted plant breeding and this requires a constant supply of new genetic material. Plant breeding is based on the continuous improvement of existing varieties: not only to breed more productive and high-yielding plants, but above all to adapt them to changing climatic conditions and increase their resistance to new pathogens and pests. Particularly valuable cassava genotypes are found in their regions of origin, Colombia and Brazil and are of high relevance both scientifically and in terms of development policy.
The Risk: Invisible Threats on the Move
However, the intercontinental exchange of plant material carries significant risks. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and insects can travel as stowaways and encounter susceptible varieties, unknown vectors, or a lack of defense mechanisms in new regions. An uncontrolled transfer would not only be negligent but could have devastating consequences for entire growing regions.
The Solution: State-of-the-Art Diagnostics at the DSMZ
This is precisely where the Plant Viruses Department at the DSMZ comes in. Under the leadership of Dr. Samar Sheat, an interdisciplinary team works at the intersection of research, diagnostics, and international plant health. Before cassava material can be transferred between continents and regions, it undergoes an intensive testing protocol one that reliably detects even previously unknown and novel pathogens. Highly sensitive molecular methods including state-of-the-art genome sequencing and biological tests are employed, as are special quarantine and growing-on procedures under controlled conditions. The goal is to comprehensively assess the health status of every plant material before it is released. “Our work is not very visible but it is the fundamental prerequisite for ensuring that valuable genetic material can be used internationally at all. We ensure that breeding research around the world has access to the best cassava lines without posing phytosanitary risks”, explained Dr. Samar Sheat, Plant Viruses Department, Leibniz Institute DSMZ.
Significance for Global Food Security
The work of the DSMZ facilitates international cassava breeding, resistance research, and the transfer of improved varieties while simultaneously preventing pathogens from being carried from South America to Africa or vice versa. The DSMZ thus serves as a key scientific control center for the safe exchange of plant genetic resources worldwide. The example of cassava illustrates how modern virus diagnostics, international cooperation, and the responsible management of plant genetic resources work together for the benefit of food security and plant health worldwide. “Plant genetic resources are the cultural heritage of all humanity. It is our responsibility to protect them and make them available in a way that future generations can benefit from them especially in light of climate change”, concluded Dr. Samar Sheat, Plant Viruses Department, Leibniz Institute DSMZ.
Press contact
PhDr. Sven-David Müller, Head of Public Relations, Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH
Phone: ++49 (0)531/2616-300
Mail: press@dsmz.de
About the Leibniz Institute DSMZ
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures is the world's most diverse collection of biological resources (bacteria, archaea, protists, yeasts, fungi, bacteriophages, plant viruses, genomic bacterial DNA as well as human and animal cell lines). Microorganisms and cell cultures are collected, investigated and archived at the DSMZ. As an institution of the Leibniz Association, the DSMZ with its extensive scientific services and biological resources has been a global partner for research, science and industry since 1969. The DSMZ was the first registered collection in Europe (Regulation (EU) No. 511/2014) and is certified according to the quality standard ISO 9001:2015. As a patent depository, it offers the only possibility in Germany to deposit biological material in accordance with the requirements of the Budapest Treaty. In addition to scientific services, research is the second pillar of the DSMZ. The institute, located on the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd, accommodates more than 94,400 bioresources and has around 210 employees. www.dsmz.de
The Leibniz Association
The Leibniz Association connects 96 independent research institutions that range in focus from natural, engineering and environmental sciences to economics, spatial and social sciences and the humanities. Leibniz Institutes address issues of social, economic and ecological relevance. They conduct basic and applied research, including in the interdisciplinary Leibniz Research Alliances, maintain scientific infrastructure, and provide research-based services. The Leibniz Association identifies focus areas for knowledge transfer, particularly with the Leibniz research museums. It advises and informs policymakers, science, industry and the general public. Furthermore, a special focus is placed on technologically relevant research and active technology transfer: Leibniz Institutes bring innovative developments into targeted application and promote the implementation of new technologies in society through cooperation with business and industry. Leibniz institutions collaborate intensively with universities – including in the form of Leibniz ScienceCampi – as well as with industry and other partners at home and abroad. They are subject to a transparent, independent evaluation procedure. Because of their importance for the country as a whole, the Leibniz Association Institutes are funded jointly by Germany’s central and regional governments. The Leibniz Institutes employ around 21,400 people, including 12,200 researchers. The financial volume amounts to 2,3 billion euros. www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de
Dr. Samar Sheat, Plant Viruses Department, DSMZ, Cassava field in Thailand
Quelle: DSMZ
Copyright: Samar Sheat/DSMZ
Cassava plants in Tanzania
Quelle: Samar Sheat
Copyright: Samar Sheat/DSMZ
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten, Lehrer/Schüler, Studierende, Wirtschaftsvertreter, Wissenschaftler, jedermann
Biologie, Ernährung / Gesundheit / Pflege, Meer / Klima, Tier / Land / Forst, Umwelt / Ökologie
überregional
Buntes aus der Wissenschaft, Forschungs- / Wissenstransfer
Englisch
Dr. Samar Sheat, Plant Viruses Department, DSMZ, Cassava field in Thailand
Quelle: DSMZ
Copyright: Samar Sheat/DSMZ
Cassava plants in Tanzania
Quelle: Samar Sheat
Copyright: Samar Sheat/DSMZ
Sie können Suchbegriffe mit und, oder und / oder nicht verknüpfen, z. B. Philo nicht logie.
Verknüpfungen können Sie mit Klammern voneinander trennen, z. B. (Philo nicht logie) oder (Psycho und logie).
Zusammenhängende Worte werden als Wortgruppe gesucht, wenn Sie sie in Anführungsstriche setzen, z. B. „Bundesrepublik Deutschland“.
Die Erweiterte Suche können Sie auch nutzen, ohne Suchbegriffe einzugeben. Sie orientiert sich dann an den Kriterien, die Sie ausgewählt haben (z. B. nach dem Land oder dem Sachgebiet).
Haben Sie in einer Kategorie kein Kriterium ausgewählt, wird die gesamte Kategorie durchsucht (z.B. alle Sachgebiete oder alle Länder).
