The IPK is a research centre which primarily applies the concepts and technologies of modern biology to crop plants. Its research work focuses on the acquisition of new knowledge and the development of new technologies in order to fully exploit plant genetic resources in science, business and society.
The following four broad topics are handled in the departments listed below:
Management, analysis and evolution of plant genetic resources (Genebank department)
These research fields also contribute to the three major focal plant research activities carried out by the centre:
diversity research which increasingly uses knowledge gained from model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress) and rice to determine the genetic basis of variation in plant form and performance, while at the same time extending our understanding of evolutionary processes. This knowledge can translate into improved ways to use plant genetic resources;
dynamics of plant genomes which is increasingly challenging the conventional static picture of the genome and is leading to a realization of the importance of epigenetic processes. This knowledge is becoming of significant practical significance;
integrative biology of plant performance which strives to generate a holistic understanding of plants based on multi-disciplinary investigation, incorporating a strong component of bioinformatics with a long-term goal of process modelling, i.e. pursuing a systems biology approach.
