We explore the role of the rhizosphere microbiome as an integral part of the plant immune system of crop species. We investigate molecular, chemical and ecological aspects of the plant innate immunity and soil ecology to gain knowledge on how mutualistic microbes in the rhizosphere microbiome stimulate plant defenses against pathogens and pests in agroecosystems.

​We use tomato plants and several further crop species, and complex soil microbiomes to unravel the molecular aspects of microbiome-induced plant resistance against pathogens and pests.  

To achieve our goals, we use a combination of state-of-the-art techniques and methods in molecular biology, chemical ecology, soil ecology, genetics, genomics and bioinformatics. We further make use of the high microbial diversity existing in the ecosystem “La Dehesa”.