Prof. Dr. Björn Usadel
The Usadel group at HHU investigates plant genomes and their functional diversity to support crop improvement and a sustainable bioeconomy.
Our research integrates state-of-the-art long-read sequencing, genome assembly and phasing with multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics and metabolomics. Through the generation of high-quality reference genomes and pangenomes linked to detailed phenotypic data, we dissect structural variation and complex traits such as drought and insect tolerance, flavour, and nutritional quality.
In parallel, we contribute to national and international FAIR data initiatives, helping to ensure that plant research data remain findable, accessible and reusable for the community.
Plant EpiGenomics
Our work spans diverse plant systems, including wild and cultivated tomato relatives, the large and complex genome of faba bean, parasitic plants such as Cuscuta, and emerging pangenome efforts for nutritionally important crop plants. In parallel, we develop and apply computational methods for plant epigenetic analysis. We also work on complex lichen.
Contact: Björn Usadel
Spatial Transcriptomics
With our CEPLAS colleagues Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Simon and Prof. Dr. Maria von Korff we are analysing spatially resolved expression patterns – where we develop analysis and visualisation modules. Here we are interested in gene network inference and data imputation.
Contact: Björn Usadel
Machine learning and AI based gene annotation
We are working on high throughput functional protein annotation for plant and fungal proteins. Within CEPLAS Marie Bolger (our FZ Jülich group) and Prof Weber are working on structural gene annotation in any eukaryote.
Contact: Björn Usadel and Marie Bolger (Jülich)
Microbiome Studies
We are expanding our research towards plant-associated microbiomes, with a particular focus on seed-associated microbial communities and their role in plant development and resilience. By integrating microbiome profiling with host genomic data, we aim to better understand plant–microbe interactions and their contribution to complex traits. In addition, we investigate symbiotic systems such as lichens, combining genomic and microbiome approaches to explore multi-partner interactions.
Contact: Carolina Lobato
Data Management and Stewardship
A central component of our work is the development of FAIR data infrastructures. We contribute to national and international initiatives such as NFDI4Plants, DataPLANT, FAIRAGRO ensuring that plant research data are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. We develop standards, ontologies, and computational frameworks to harmonize and enrich heterogeneous datasets, enabling integrative analyses across scales.
Contact: Sabrina Zander and Angela Kranz (FZ Jülich)