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Aerial viev green forest on a spring day, natural background. Photo from the drone
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Environmental Simulation

Our research focuses on the impact of environmental factors on the biosphere-atmosphere exchange through the simulation of diverse climatic conditions.

Our research focuses on the impact of environmental factors on the biosphere-atmosphere exchange through the simulation of diverse climatic conditions.

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Our Facilities

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Phytotron

EUS has developed and is operating a phytotron facility with four walk-in-size exposure chambers, three sun simulators, and eight greenhouse cabinets, where a multitude of environmental conditions typically for the mid latitudes can be simulated.

EUS_phytotron_kammer
Helmholtz Munich | © Jörg-Peter Schnitzler

Besides the lighting, air temperature, and air humidity, we also control the composition of the chamber’s atmosphere (e.g. CO2 and VOCs).

Sun Simulators

The globally unique irradiation system of EUS combines metal halide lamps, quartz halogen lamps, and blue fluorescent tubes for the simulation of global irradiation from the UV-A range to the infrared wavelengths.

© Helmholtz Munich - J.-P. Schnitzler

The ratio UV-B:UV-A:PAR of the sun is 1:38:293 and of our sun simulator 1:36:281.

Greenhouse

The research greenhouse comprises a total area of 400 m2 and is used for experiments on plants and soil as well as for plant cultivation and propagation under controlled and frost-free conditions.

EUS_greenhouse
© Helmholtz Munich - J.-P. Schnitzler

The UV-transparent glass cover of the three-naved facility enables photo-biological processes close to natural free sky conditions.

Fitness Screen

We have set up an integrated "plant-to-sensor" system for the phenotyping of whole plants, i.e. of roots and shoots, in a newly built greenhouse.

Fitness-Screen
Helmholtz Munich | J.-P. Schnitzler

With this system we offer the possibility to investigate the mechanistic and dynamic interactions between plants and microbes (pathogens) on a variety of geno(pheno)types using non-invasive methods.

VOC-Screen Platform

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in plant defence, stress mitigation and the communication of plants with their biotic environment.

EUS_VOC-screen platform
Helmholtz Munich | J.-P. Schnitzler

On the VOC-Screen-Platform the emission and uptake of VOCs and photosynthetic gas exchange of up to 24 plants can be continuously analysed.

Our Research Areas

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Abiotic Stress

Abiotic Stress Resistance and Resilience

For maintaining sustainable, environmentally benign agriculture under the forecasted future climate conditions, it is essential to design effective plant breeding and protection strategies, principally exploiting the available genetic resources.

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VOCs

Biology of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Our research provides evidence on how and to which extent biogenic VOCs are involved in plant protection and adaptation as well as how multiple environmental constraints affect plant behavior and biotic interactions (pathogens and herbivores.

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Phenomics

Phenomics

We aim to understand the interrelation between biotic and abiotic stress responses and plant health and productivity on a molecular level.

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Associated research group

Molecular Plant Physiology

Our research addresses (i) the establishment and control of defense against plant pathogens by inactivation of immune-modulatory signaling molecules through glucosylation and (ii) the impact of aquaporins on plant development using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

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Scientists at EUS

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Porträt Jörg-Peter Schnitzle

Prof. Dr. Jörg-Peter Schnitzler

Director of Department, Biologist View profile
Porträt Barbro Winkler

Dr. J. Barbro Winkler

Deputy Director, Biologist, Group Leader Ecophysiology

Dr. Andrea Ghirardo

Biotechnologist, Group Leader Environmental Simulation and Phenomics View profile

Prof. Dr. Peter Schröder

Project leader

Rachna Behl

PhD, EpiCrossBorders

Franz Buegger

Technician

Dr. Catarina da Rocha Cruzeiro

Scientist

Georg Gerl

Agricultural Engineer

Ulrich Junghans

Meistergärtner

Peter Kary

Machinist, operation of exposure chambers and greenhouse

Anna Mateeva

Teamassistant

Dr. Tetyana Nosenko

Bioinformatics scientist

Mustafa Özden

Electrician

Moritz Popp

PhD student

Humay Rahimova

PhD Student

Armin Richter

Air conditioning technician (state-certified)

Petra Seibel

Chemical-technical assistant

Alexandros Sigalas

Electronics engineer, automation and data analysis

Prasath Balaji Sivaprakasam Padmanaban

PhD Student

Baris Weber

Chemical-technical assistant, VOC, GCMS

Peiyuan Zhu

PhD student

Ina Zimmer

Biological-technical assistant, sample analytics, cell cultures
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Chambers and Cabinets
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Steps during Lunch Break

EUS Publications

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2024 Scientific Article in Plant, Cell and Environment

Neugart, S. ; Steininger, V. ; Fernandes, C. ; Martínez-Abaigar, J. ; Núñez-Olivera, E. ; Schreiner, M. ; Strid, A. ; Viczián, A. ; Albert, A. ; Badenes-Pérez, F.R. ; Castagna, A. ; Dáder, B. ; Fereres, A. ; Gaberscik, A. ; Gulyás, A. ; Gwynn-Jones, D. ; Nagy, F. ; Jones, A. ; Julkunen-Tiitto, R. ; Konstantinova, N. ; Lakkala, K. ; Llorens, L. ; Martínez-Lüscher, J. ; Nybakken, L. ; Olsen, J. ; Pascual, I. ; Ranieri, A. ; Regier, N. ; Robson, M. ; Rosenqvist, E. ; Santin, M. ; Turunen, M. ; Vandenbussche, F. ; Verdaguer, D. ; Winkler, J.B. ; Witzel, K.-P. ; Grifoni, D. ; Zipoli, G. ; Hideg, E. ; Jansen, M.A.K. ; Hauser, M.T.

A synchronized, large-scale field experiment using Arabidopsis thaliana reveals the significance of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 under natural conditions.

Cooperation and Affiliation

Contact

Porträt Jörg-Peter Schnitzle

Prof. Dr. Jörg-Peter Schnitzler

Director of Department, Biologist

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