Emerita & Emeriti

Ralf Conrad, former director of the department of Biogeochemistry, focused on soil microorganisms responsible for biogeochemical processes and trace gas exchange (CH₄, N₂O, H₂) between soil and atmosphere. Using flooded rice fields as a model system, his group explored microbial roles in climate-relevant processes.
 

Regine Kahmann, former head of the Department of Organismic Interactions, focused on how fungi colonize plants and cause disease. Using Ustilago maydis as a model, her group studied how this fungus suppresses plant immunity and modulates plant processes and identified proteins that are key to pathogenicity.
 

Rudolf K. Thauer, former director of the department of Biochemistry, studied the biochemistry, physiology, and ecology of anaerobic bacteria and archaea, focusing on the enzymes and coenzymes involved in the energy metabolism of Clostridia, sulfate-reducing bacteria, methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea, and aerobic methanotrophic bacteria.