Plants are permanently exposed to a great variety of microorganisms, such as viruses, mycoplasma, bacteria and fungi. However, similar to animals, plants possess an innate immune system. Redox molecules, such as nitric oxide or reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial peptides, are important elements of this defense system to fight against pathogens and pests.


Redox-based signalling and therewith connected controlling of cellular redox balance is one of the most delicate tasks in plant, animal and microbial cells and has raised interest since many years. Active nitrogen and oxygen species are universal (side)products of aerobic metabolism of all animals and plants, are harmful in excess, and participate in aging and apoptosis. Interestingly, they can also serve as second messengers for the modification of gene expression or enzyme activities/function, demonstrating that some level of them is necessary for important cellular functions.

To fight against pathogens higher organisms have developed different strategies, including the production of antimicrobial peptides. We are using the features of natural occurring antimicrobial peptides to design highly active peptide antibiotica. The developed peptides will be produced in plants and an application in plant protection and/or human/animal medicine will be considered.