Dr. Simon Krattinger
Assistant Professor, Plant Science, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, KSA
Ph.D. Botany/Plant Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich Switzerland
M.Sc. Molecular Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Cereal crop plants such as wheat, rice, maize and barley are of paramount importance to ensure global food security. Disturbances caused by pathogens, pests and adverse climatic conditions pose a constant threat to cereal production. Our current knowledge of the fundamental molecular processes that make certain cereal plants resilient to these stresses is still limited. Research on the genetic and molecular basis of stress perception, signaling and adaptation is therefore of uttermost relevance and of great scientific interest. An important aspect of our work consists in the translation of basic knowledge into breeding, with the ultimate aim to develop highly resistant crop cultivars.