In my research, we study how plants orchestrate the synthesis and storage of natural products and their on demand bio-activation to exert their specific biological functions. Based on these data and the new FIND-IT technology developed with the Carlsberg Research Laboratory, improved cultivars of key crops are obtained. Using the approaches of synthetic biology, desired high value natural products are produced by heterologous expression of their biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms and algae. In collaboration with Nature, the aim is to develop the chloroplast as a future powerhouse for light-driven synthesis replacing use of fossil resources.

Our synthetic biology approach integrates legal studies, bioethics and communication to equip society and scientists to take part in constructive dialogues on new technologies and Responsible Research and Innovation.