Interdisciplinary PhD projects

PhD students in BioSC Core Groups have the opportunity to apply for interdisciplinary small-scale projects with a six-month duration across different BioSC partner locations and research areas. There are one or two calls for proposals per year.

Projects 2026:

This research aims to reduce microplastic pollution from seed coatings by replacing synthetic polymers with biodegradable, polysaccharide-based microgels that deliver plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to seeds presenting a green alternative to conventional fertilizers and pesticides. By encapsulating both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in dextran-based gels, the project addresses the challenge of maintaining bacterial viability during storage despite differing moisture needs. It will be examined how different crosslinking densities in hydrogels affect bacterial survival and growth, with the goal of stabilizing bacteria in a dormant state until reactivation. Since single-cell analysis cannot be performed directly in microgels, bulk hydrogels with similar properties are used for these studies, and the generated results will be transferred to microgels. Ultimately, this work supports sustainable agriculture and advances a bio-based circular-economy by providing alternatives to conventional agrochemicals.