Potatoes are on everyone’s lips - especially at the Groß Lüsewitz site. Delphine Van Inghelandt has led the research group ‘Quantitative Genetics and Breeding Methods of Potatoes’, a joint group of the IPK and the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), for over a year now. In the IPK Journal, Delphine Van Inghelandt explains why the potato is so interesting and describes the research approach she is pursuing. IPK and JKI are also partners in the POMORROW research project, which focuses on the potato of tomorrow. In a joint interview, Klaus J. Dehmer (IPK) and Benjamin Stich (JKI) explain the background.   

At the genebank, which is the IPK’s most important research infrastructure, Andreas Börner has handed over responsibility in the ‘Resource Genetics and Reproduction’ research group to Anna Backhaus. Anna Backhaus worked at the John Innes Centre for eight years, focusing on the molecular genetics of wheat. She then spent almost three years at ICARDA (the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas) in Morocco. Andreas Börner, on the other hand, is retiring at the end of the year after 40 years at the IPK. In a joint interview, they discuss the advice he is giving his successor and the areas she will focus on in her research.

However, the IPK is also breaking new ground in other areas. For example, a joint discourse project with this very title was launched a few weeks ago by the IPK and Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, the new project aims to examine various aspects of plant research from an industrial design perspective. The project will not only develop new application scenarios but also create formats to bring these topics to the public's attention and encourage discussion. 

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