The specialisation Microbial and Plant Biotechnology (MPBiotec) provides a comprehensive background on the molecular biology of plants and microbes, combined with hands-on experience with advanced genetic engineering approaches in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. Taking advantage of a wide practical experience, the program extends the theoretical and experimental training of the students into the fields of systems and synthetic biology, redox and metabolic regulation and molecular-level stress responses. 

Consequently, MPBiotec graduates are equipped with a versatile engineering toolkit the theoretical know-how necessary to take major steps into R&D in academia or the biotech sector. Importantly, as a main goal of the program, we see great importance in bridging these first steps for our students, either through laying the foundations for a successful PhD project, or via intensive interactions with biotech partners in company excursions, industry internships and guest lectures.

Required qualifications for the major (non-legally binding): 

Admittance to the program requires knowledge of molecular biology in theory and practice and especially in one or more of the subjects:

  • Plant biology
  • Abiotic stress response
  • Photosynthesis  
  • Protein homeostasis
  • Metabolism
  • Genetics
Study Program

Study Plan

Regulations

Deadline for international Applications

April 30 for fall semester (Oct) start

October 31 for summer semester (Apr) start

Genetic Engineering

Acquire a powerful set of genetic tools to engineer your organism of interest, from Cyanobacteria, through algae to whole plants. 

Systems Biology

Apply cutting edge tools to learn cells and organisms at the systems level, capitalizing on our in-house transcriptomics, quantitative proteomics and metabolic profiling platforms combined with our computational expertise.

Synthetic Biology

Take part in the development of exciting synthetic designs of organisms, from metabolic engineering of plants for higher yields to novel environmental bio-sensors. 

Molecular Stress Response

Join a research team in the national leading research consortium for plant environmental acclimation - The Green Hub/TRR175. 

Industry Exposure

Take part in ‘Window to the Biotech’ lectures, join a 1-2 day company excursion, or choose an industry research internship to experience the real world of Biotech. 

Contact details

Do you have questions about the program or would you like more details about the research areas of the degree program?
 
Our major coordinators will be happy to help: 

Prof. Dr. Haim Treves 

Research group leader Department of Plant Metabolism 

Mail: h.treves(at)rptu.de

Phone: 49 (0)631-205-3254

Main research groups

Below you will find the research groups that mainly supervise the major Microbial and Plant Biotechnology. Of course, you can also attend courses from other research groups during your study program.

Microbiology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Nicole Frankenberg-Dinkel

Department Homepage

The Frankenberg-Dinkel lab explores how photosynthetic microorganisms maximize light harvesting and how they are challenged by phage infections.

Systems Biology and Biotechnology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Michael Schroda

Department Homepage

The Schroda group utilizes systems and synthetic biology to gain deeper insights into chloroplast functions and develop strategies for their engineering.

Plant Physiology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Ekkehard Neuhaus

Department Homepage

The aim of our studies is to improve sugar and nucleotide homeostasis with a view to optimize plant yield and stress resilience.

Computational Systems Biology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Timo Mühlhaus

Department Homepage

Molecular Botany

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Stefanie Müller-Schüssele

Department Homepage

The Frankenberg-Dinkel lab explores how photosynthetic microorganisms maximize light harvesting and how they are challenged by phage infections.

Plant Pathology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Matthias Hahn

Department Homepage

The Hahn lab investigates how plant pathogenic fungi attack plants and overcome their defence mechanisms. 

Systems Plant Metabolism

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Haim Treves

Department Homepage

The Treves lab is exploring ways to fortify future crop plants under changing climate using the resource of algal metabolism.