Abschlussarbeit

Master Thesis Opportunity in Plant Molecular Biology

Title: Uncovering Tuberization Factors in Potato

Background

As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, our food systems face urgent challenges. Potato (Solanum tuberosum), the world’s third most important food crop, feeds hundreds of millions of people every day and supports vital industries- yet it is highly sensitive to heat. We tackle real-world problems by combining functional genomics, physiology, and high-throughput approaches to understand how plants adapt to environmental change. This project aims to uncover the genetic factors that control tuber formation (tuberization) in potato — a key developmental process that determines yield — and how these mechanisms respond to high temperature stress.

Thesis Project

You will establish a pipeline to identify and characterize genes involved in temperature-dependent tuberization. Using cutting-edge molecular and imaging techniques, you will explore the genetic bases of tuberization — with implications for climate-resilient crop breeding.

Possible experimental approaches include:

• Tissue culture and in vitro regeneration of potato.
• CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing.
• High-throughput molecular cloning and transformation.

What you will gain

• Practical training in molecular cloning, genome editing, and plant physiology.
• Experience with microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
• Skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Who we are looking for

• Master’s students in biology or related fields with curiosity about environmental stress.
• Interest in combining molecular and high-throughput approaches.
• No prior experience in CRISPR or microscopy required — full training provided.

About us

Our group offers a stimulating international environment where fundamental discoveries translate into solutions for sustainable agriculture. If you are excited to explore how plants integrate temperature signals to shape development — and want your research to contribute to solving global food challenges — we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Apply by e-mail:
 Send a short motivation message and your contact information to vilarrasablasi@igzev.de and wigge@igzev.de.