Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Björn Krenz has been leading the Plant Viruses Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ since July 1, 2024.
- The department focuses on plant virus collection, research, and diagnostics, with a team of 16 staff members, including six PhD scientists.
- Dr. Krenz brings experience from roles at Cornell University and the University of Erlangen, with a research focus on plant-virus interactions and economic impacts.
- The DSMZ is home to the world’s largest and only ISO 17034-certified Plant Virus Collection, supporting global plant health research.
- Cassava research, initiated by former head Dr. Stephan Winter, remains a key focus under Dr. Krenz’s leadership.
On July 1, 2024, Dr. Björn Krenz, a plant virologist, assumed the leadership of the Plant Viruses Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH. The department plays a key role in promoting plant health through its plant virus collection, reference materials, diagnostics, and expert knowledge. With a dedicated team of 16 professionals, including six PhD-level scientists, the department serves researchers, universities, and diagnostic laboratories worldwide.
About Dr. Björn Krenz
Dr. Björn Krenz, born in Bad Kissingen, Germany, has a long-standing background in plant virology. He studied Technical Biology at the University of Stuttgart, where he graduated in 2003. After completing his doctorate in 2007, Dr. Krenz furthered his research as a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University in the United States. He later led the Molecular Plant Virology Group at the University of Erlangen (FAU) before joining the DSMZ in 2017 as head of the junior research group Virusinteract. Dr. Krenz has also lectured on virology at the Technical University of Braunschweig since 2019.
In addition to his work at the DSMZ, Dr. Krenz heads the “Viruskrankheiten der Pflanzen” working group at the Deutsche Phytomedizinische Gesellschaft (DPG). His research primarily focuses on plant viruses such as Geminiviruses and Nanoviruses, investigating their interactions with host plants and exploring ways to develop virus-resistant plant species.
Department Focus Areas
The DSMZ’s Plant Viruses Department is structured around three key areas: collection, service, and research. The collection, widely recognized as the most comprehensive in the world, provides essential resources for institutions in 61 countries. The department’s services include supplying virus samples and diagnostics to research institutions, universities, and laboratories worldwide. The collection is also the only one globally certified to the international ISO 17034 standard, underscoring its role in ensuring quality and reliability.
Research is another central focus of the department. Dr. Krenz’s leadership will continue to build on the department’s strengths in investigating virus-host interactions and developing virus-resistant crops. The department’s work aims to address the economic impacts of plant viruses on agriculture by exploring molecular mechanisms that contribute to virus resistance. Modern molecular biological techniques are at the heart of these research efforts.
Cassava Research and Future Directions
Under Dr. Krenz’s leadership, the department will maintain its focus on ongoing cassava research, a legacy of his predecessor, Dr. Stephan Winter. This research, which has established the DSMZ as a leader in cassava virology, continues to be an important theme within the Plant Viruses Department. Cassava is a staple food crop in many developing regions, and viruses that affect its yield have significant implications for global food security.
Dr. Krenz’s research will also extend into plant biotechnology, where he aims to explore the application of molecular biology to better understand virus infections and develop new diagnostic methods.
DSMZ’s Global Impact
The Leibniz Institute DSMZ is home to the most diverse biological resource collection in the world, including the Plant Virus Collection, which remains the most extensive globally. The DSMZ will mark its 55th anniversary in November 2024. Over the past year, the Plant Viruses Department has provided essential resources to institutions in 61 countries, reinforcing the global significance of the collection. The department’s ongoing commitment to plant health and virology research continues to support advancements in agriculture and biotechnology.
