STEFAN MARTENS

Research Activity

In the post-genomic area the limited understanding of the metabolic pathways underlying the biosynthesis of secondary compounds in plants still impedes progress in biotechnological approaches in plants but also in microorganisms and molecular breeding strategies. Therefore, Stefan’s Research interests are focused on biochemistry and molecular biology of important steps of plant secondary product pathway in apple, soft fruits and medicinal and aromtic plants (MAPs) and biotechnological production of bioactive compounds.
He was and is partner in various international, national and industrial projects and is the author of over sixty papers in ISI journals.

Research Interests

The main focus of Stefan reasearch interests is to bring together metabolomic and genomic data in order to identify novel gene functions and to construct plant metabolite pathway networks (gene-to-metabolite approach) involved in the biosynthesis of key metabolites. Novel gene functions will be characterised by recombinant protein biotechnology in vitro, in vivo and in planta. Furthermore, this new knowledge will also enable the design and development of modules for combinatorial biosynthesis platforms of natural compounds which have high potential and demand in pharmaceutical and food industries.

• 2013 Habilitation „Pharmaceutical Biology“ Philipps Universität Marburg (Germany)
• Since Oct 2009: Senior Researcher and Group leader for „Biotechnology of Natural Products“; Edmund Mach Foundation, San Michele all’Adige TN (Italy)
• Nov 2002 - Sep 2009: Post doctorate and Scientific assistant (C1), Pharmaceutical Biology, Philipps-University Marburg (Germany).
• Jun 2000 - Nov 2002: Scientific assistant (C1), Floriculture Crops and Horticultural Plant Breeding, Technical University Munich Weihenstephan (Germany).
• Nov 2001 - May 2000: Ph.D. thesis, Chair for Floriculture Crops and Horticultural Plant Breeding, Technical University Munich Weihenstephan (Germany). Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Gert Forkmann. Academic degree: Dr. agr.
• Aug 1995 – Apr 1996 Working student, Biochemical Plant Pathology GSF, Neuherberg (Germany). Working group BIOP, Dr. Werner Heller.
• Nov 1989 – Jul 1995: Study of Horticultural Science, Technical University Munich Weihenstephan (Germany). Academic degree: Dipl. Ing. agr.