The overall aim of the Programme Area “Plant quality and food security” (QUALITY) is to generate interdisciplinary knowledge grounded in life sciences and social sciences to strengthen sustainability, human nutrition as well as nutritional food security for all.

We do so in a unique way by focusing on the genotypic diversity and targeted influencing of plant secondary metabolites (PSM) through the alteration of physiological processes in planta.  ​​​​​​We outline the bio-functionality of selected plant metabolites in plant-environment interaction and in human nutrition by establishing a state-of-the-art analytical platform. In addition, we analyze the effects of vegetable production and consumption on food and nutritional security and livelihoods, including in both developed and developing countries.

In doing so, our research contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) along the plant value chain from life on land (SDG 15), sufficient and responsible production and consumption (SDG 12) to zero hunger (SDG 2) and good health (SDG 3), which in turn contribute to poverty reduction (SDG 1) and more gender and economic equality (SDGs 5 and 10).