Professor Dr Maarten Koornneef
- Section Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
- Location Köln, Germany
- Election year 2014
Research
Research Priorities: Plant genetics, Arabidopsis thaliana, mutations, genetic adaptation, seed dormancy, shoot-branching, DOG1 gene (delay of germination)
Maarten Koornneef’s work has played a major role in establishing Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant in international plant breeding and molecular genetics. His research focuses on shoot-branching, the regulation of plants’ physiological characteristics, as well as the functioning of seed dormancy and growth.
Maarten Koornneef created the first genetic map of Arabidopsis thaliana. The map shows how genes are arranged in the plant’s genome. This made it possible to decode the genomes of various Arabidopsis strains from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and to create a catalogue showing the genetic diversity of Arabidopsis. The aim was to learn more about the plant’s enormous genetic plasticity and adaptability.
In order to successfully adapt and germinate, the plant must recognise environmental factors such as temperature and adapt accordingly. These processes occur in the seed’s internal regulation system. In studies on natural plant variations, Maarten Koornneef managed to identify the central regulator gene DOG1 (delay of germination). DOG 1 plays a key role in regulating primary seed dormancy and, together with the plant hormone Abscisic acid, delays germination.
Furthermore, he and his team investigate agricultural plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, and barley. They seek to understand the molecular foundations of quality characteristics, shoot-branching, and resistance to diseases. Maarten Koornneef is particularly interested in resistance to factors that can lead to late blight or potato blight (Phytophthora infestans). He wants to develop methods that will enable more efficient breeding. Research into the molecular and population genetics of these characteristics should also help to better understand natural genetic variations. In this way, Koornneef hopes to gain important insights into how crops adapt to certain environmental conditions.
Maarten Koornneef’s work has played a major role in establishing Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant in international plant breeding and molecular genetics. His research focuses on shoot-branching, the regulation of plants’ physiological characteristics, as well as the functioning of seed dormancy and growth.
Maarten Koornneef created the first genetic map of Arabidopsis thaliana. The map shows how genes are arranged in the plant’s genome. This made it possible to decode the genomes of various Arabidopsis strains from Europe, Asia, and Africa, and to create a catalogue showing the genetic diversity of Arabidopsis. The aim was to learn more about the plant’s enormous genetic plasticity and adaptability.
In order to successfully adapt and germinate, the plant must recognise environmental factors such as temperature and adapt accordingly. These processes occur in the seed’s internal regulation system. In studies on natural plant variations, Maarten Koornneef managed to identify the central regulator gene DOG1 (delay of germination). DOG 1 plays a key role in regulating primary seed dormancy and, together with the plant hormone Abscisic acid, delays germination.
Furthermore, he and his team investigate agricultural plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, and barley. They seek to understand the molecular foundations of quality characteristics, shoot-branching, and resistance to diseases. Maarten Koornneef is particularly interested in resistance to factors that can lead to late blight or potato blight (Phytophthora infestans). He wants to develop methods that will enable more efficient breeding. Research into the molecular and population genetics of these characteristics should also help to better understand natural genetic variations. In this way, Koornneef hopes to gain important insights into how crops adapt to certain environmental conditions.
Career
- since 2006 Honorary Professor, Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- since 2004 Director and Scientific Member, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Cologne, Germany
- since 1992 Professor of Plant Genetics, Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen Agricultural University (today: Wageningen University & Research), Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1987-1992 Lecturer, Department of Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1982 PhD in Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1976-1987 Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1974-1976 Head, Horticultural Plant Breeding Division, Van Den Berg Seeds Ltd., Naaldwijk, Netherlands
- 1976-1982 Research Associate, Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1974 MSc in Agriculture, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
- 1968-1974 Studies in Plant Breeding, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
Functions
- Member, Scientific Advisory Board, National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), Madrid, Spain
- Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Riken BioResource Research Centre (BRC), Saitama, Japan
- Member, Scientific and Academic Advisory Committee, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Member, Advisory Board, 7th Research Framework Programme, European Union (EU)
Projects
- 2012-2018 Participating Scientist, Cluster of Excellence (EXC) 1028 “Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS) – From Complex Traits towards Synthetic Modules”, German Research Foundation (DFG), Germany
- 2008-2011 Principal Investigator, Subproject “Unravelling the regulation and function of DOG1: a key gene essential for the induction of seed dormancy in Arabidopsis”, Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 572, DFG, Germany
- 2006-2013 Principal Investigator, Subproject “The adaptive value of pleiotropic variation: miR824 and the MADS-Box Gene Network”, CRC 680, DFG, Germany
Honours and Memberships
- 2023 Research.com Genetics in Germany Leader Award, Research.com, Las Vegas, USA
- since 2014 Member, German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Germany
- 2003 Member, European Academy of Sciences
- 1998 International Member, National Academy of Sciences, USA
- 1997 Member, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Netherlands
- 1996 Corresponding Membership Award, American Society of Plant Physiologists, USA
- 1995 Silver Medal Award, International Plant Growth Substances Association (IPGSA)