Plant Diseases and Crop Protection

Dr. Anke Sirrenberg

Lecturer / Teacher for special purposes (LfbA = “Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben“)

My first “special purpose” was to re-establish a course of plant anatomy for students of agricultural sciences.
Now, I am teaching several courses in the Bachelor study program Agricultural Sciences and in the Master program MSc Crop Protection, mainly biochemistry of plant defence, lab methods and mycology..

In all my courses I focus on:

  • Practical experience (experiments, microscopy, excursions, student presentations)
  • Real-life meetings
  • Eye comfort (screen-free time / reduced screen time)
  • Appreciation of students´ experiences and prior knowledge
  • Critical thinking, strength and limits of methods and sources
  • Encouragement to find own ways in life
  • Joy

List of modules:

  • Plant anatomy, BAgr0367Mp (microscopy course, German)
  • Plant biology, part plant anatomy, BAgr0002 (lecture series)
  • Basic laboratory techniques, MCp0019 (lab course)
  • Mycology, MAgr0045 (lab course)
  • Basics of molecular biology in crop protection, MAgr0094 (lecture series)
  • Plant health management in tropical crops, MAgr0174 (seminar)
  • “The flying classroom – a lab in a suitcase”, a portable version of an introductory course to microbiology, first held at Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.

Curriculum vitae

  • Since 2000: Scientist and lecturer at Goettingen University
  • Since 10/2010: Lecturer at the Department of Crop Sciences, division Plant Pathology and Crop Protection, Prof. von Tiedemann; focus on botany, plant biochemistry, lab methods and mycology, international teaching
  • 2005 - 09/2010: Scientist in the group Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research (Prof. Karlovsky); focus on plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiome
  • 2000 – 2004: Scientist in the department of plant biochemistry, Prof. Dr. Heldt, Prof. Dr. Feußner; group Dr. Pawlowski (now Prof. at Stockholm University); focus on plant microbe interactions, esp. mycorrhiza, legume nodules and endophytic fungi
  • 1998 Leader of the microbiology unit of a drinking water analysis laboratory
  • 1997 - 2010 Science education projects with different institutions and companies
  • 1996 Dissertation (Dr. rer. nat.) in plant physiology (mycorrhiza), Eberhard Karls Universtität Tübingen, Prof. Hager
  • 1992 Diploma in Biology (Master equivalent), major microbiology, Prof. Lingens
  • 1986 - 1992 studies of biology at the universities Mainz and Hohenheim

Selected publications

Talk (key note lecture):

  • 2026: „International Teaching, why and how? From shower didactics to the Olympic games”, XVIII Internal Symposium and I International Symposium on Research and Teaching at INBIOTECA (SIID-2025), Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico

Posters

  • Kareem ZJ, Su L, Rathgeb, A, Sirrenberg A, Hadacek F, Rashid AHMH, Karlovsky P (2019) Small-scale bioreactor for sterile hydroponics and hairy roots: metabolic diversity and salicylic acid exudation by hairy roots of Hyoscyamus niger. MDPI App Sci; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app9153044
  • Danielsen L, Lohaus G, Sirrenberg A, Karlovsky P, Bastien C, Pilate G, Polle A (2013). Ectomycorrhizal colonization and diversity in relation to tree biomass and nutrition in a plantation of transgenic poplars with modified lignin biosynthesis. PLoS ONE 8(3): e59207; DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059207
  • Sirrenberg A, Splivallo R, Ratzinger A, Pawloswki K, Karlovsky P (2009). Auxin production by symbiotic fungi: Bioassay and HPLC-MS analysis. Varma A (ed.) Symbiotic Fungi: Principles and Practice, Springer Soil Biology Series, Vol 18, pp. 381-392
  • Sirrenberg A, Nutz S, Ratzinger A, Karlovsky P (2009) Bodenmüdigkeit bei Rosen: neue Forschungsansätze. Gartenpraxis 9:16-20
  • Sirrenberg A, Göbel C, Grond S, Czempinski N, Ratzinger A, Karlovsky P, Santos P, Feussner I, Pawlowski K (2007). Piriformospora indica affects plant growth by auxin production. Physiol Plant 131:581-589; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2007.00983.x
  • Pawlowski K, Jacobsen KR, Alloisio N, Ford Denison R, Klein M, Tjepkema JD, Winzer T, Sirrenberg A, Guan C, Berry AM (2007). Truncated hemoglobins in actinorhizal nodules of Datisca glomerata. Plant Biol 9:776-785; DOI:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-965258
  • Pawlowski K, Sirrenberg A (2003). Symbiosis between Frankia and actinorhizal plants: root nodules of non-legumes. Indian J Exp Biol. 41:1165-1183
  • Salzer P, Hübner B, Sirrenberg A, Hager A (1997). Differential effect of purified spruce chitinases and ß-1,3-glucanases on the activity of elicitors from ectomycorrhizal fungi. Plant Physiology, 114, 957-968; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.114.3.957
  • Sirrenberg A, Salzer P, Hager A. Induction of mycorrhiza-like structures and defence reactions in dual cultures of spruce callus and ectomycorrhizal fungi. New Phytologist, 130, 149-156; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1995.tb01825.x