Plant Biotechnology Unit
at the IAM, BOKU
Research projects
1. IN VITRO CULTURE AND PATHOGEN ELIMINATION
- "In vitro cultivation of fruit trees for the rapid propagation of virus-free scion woods, for the virus elimination of cultivars and for the breeding of new cultivars" (1987-1990, 1990-1993, 1993-1996) supported by the Austrian Ministeries of Agriculture and Forestry and Science and Education (BMLFW/BMWF)
- "Revitalization of old local fruit tree cultivars" (1992-1995) supported by C&A, Fam. Brenninkmeyer
- "Prüfung und Gesunderhaltung von virusbefreiten neuen und älteren Obstsorten sowie Beobachtung und Testung resistenter Neuzüchtungen (transgene Pflanzen) auf geschützter Fläche (Saranhaus)" together with Prof. Pieber, Institute of Pomology, BOKU (1995-1996) supported by the Austrian Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry (BMLFW)
- CT 97-3889 "Health certification of Rosaceous species based on disease-indexing of in vitro plants: Validation of diagnostics and diagnostic strategies" (1998-2001) supported by the European Community in the frame of FAIR 5, coordinated by IAM (Partners: INRA Bordeaux, Unité de Phytopathologie, Gembloux, BBA Dossenheim, University of Cork, University Bologna, HRI East Malling, IPO-DLO Wageningen)
- "Production of 1000 units of micropropagated tropical plants for distribution as educational tools in African Countries" (1996) supported by UNESCO Bureau de Vienne
- "In vitro culture of plants with seeds producing oil (Jatropha curcas)" (1993-1997) supported by the Austrian Federal Chancellery in the frame of Assistance to Developing Countries
- Improved strategies for assuring the phytosanitary and genetic quality requesting for stone fruit planting material in Europe (2001-2004) supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education,Science and Culture
2. BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST PATHOGENS
- "Biotechnological Approach to the Induction of Arabis Mosaic Virus Resistance" (1991-1992) supported by Austrian Science Foundation Fonds (FWF)
- Nr. 8001 CT 91-201 "Detection du Virus de la Sharka et lutte genetique contre la maladie chez les Prunus" (1991-1994) supported by the European Community in the frame of CAMAR
- "Biotechnological methods for resistance breeding in grapevines" (1993-1996, 1997-1998) supported by the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture (BMLFW) and the Niederösterreichische Landesregierung
- Concerted Action CT 93-0847 "Genetic Transformation of Fruit tree Species for the safer Control of Pests and Diseases and for the improvement of Fruit Harvesting Qualities" (1994-1997) supported by the European Community in the frame of AIR 3. (Partners: HRI East Malling, UK, INRA Angers, Departement Biotechnologie, Gembloux, University Leuven, University Wageningen, University Alnarp, University Lisbon, University Dublin)
- BIO 4-CT 96-0773 "Risk assessment with genetically engineered woody Plants expressing virus coat protein gene" (1996-1999) supported by the European Community in the frame of BIOTECHNOLOGY (Partners: INRA Bordeaux, INRA Montpellier, Istitut de Biologie Moleculaire des Plantes Strassbourg, MHLV, Istituto di Virologia Vegetale, Bari, Italien, IVIA Valencia, Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne, CIVC, Epernay, Laboratoire de Biochimie Végétale, Neuchâtel)
- Characterisation of transgenic fruit Trees and analyses of direct and indirect biological interactions supported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education,Science and Culture and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- Improved strategies for assuring the phytosanitary and genetic quality requested for stone fruit planting material in Europe" in collaboration with Research Institute for Fruitgrowing and Ornamentals, and St. István University, Budapest (2000 - 2003) supported by BMBWK.
- Co-ordination of Research on Genetic Resistance to Plant Pathogenic Viruses and their Vectors in European Crops ResistVir (2005-2007) supported by the European Community in the 6th Framework Programme, Priority 5: Food Quality and Safety. FOOD-CT-2005-514048
3. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF GENES INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT
- EUROBERRY Research: From Genomics to Sustainable Production, Quality and Health COST Action 863
- PL 96-6084 "TUTOR: Towards Understanding of Tree Growth regulation" (1997-1999) supported by the European Community in the frame of INCO/COPERNICUS (Partners: Departement Biotechnologie, Gembloux, IGE Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, faculty of Horticulture, Cluj, Romania)
- "Molecular processes of root induction in woody plants I/II" (1991-1994, 1997-1998) supported by Austrian Science Foundation Fonds (FWF)
- Regulation of the Ypr10 gene family and identification of the biological role of its gene product (PR-10 protein) in rosaceous species (2000 - 2001) supported by Austrian Science Foundation Fonds (FWF)
- Project "Molecular characterization, regulation and function of genes coding for food allergens" (1996-1999) supported by Austrian Science Foundation Fonds (FWF)
- Plant food allergies: Field to Table strategies for reducing their incidence in Europe (SAFE) (2000 - 2003) supported by the European Community (FP5), Nutrition and Health
Rev.1.1 by Siegfried Huss