Marc Ongena

Marc Ongena got a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Liège and did a Post-Doc at University Laval, Canada. He got a permanent position at the FRS-FNRS in 2007 and was promoted to Research Director in 2022. He is co-heading the Microbial Processes and Interactions Laboratory at TERRA Research Center and is currently leading a research group of 12 persons. His research work is dedicated to the study of soil dwelling Plant Beneficial Bacteria that retain a strong potential to protect plants against diseases and therefore represent promising alternatives to chemicals. He is investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying such biocontrol potential mainly based on a direct antagonistic activity toward pathogens and/or on the ability to trigger Induced Systemic Resistance (IR). This includes the study of the so-called bioactive secondary metabolites formed by these bacteria that are mostly responsible for biocontrol activity but also largely contribute to ecological fitness.

Tentative Title:

Plant immune activation by bacterial lipopeptides

Pillars Topic/Subtopic:

PILLAR 3: INNOVATIVE BIOTECH & INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

3.1: Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology

Sub-topic 3.1e: Biocontrol Agents & Biofertilizers: From Lab to Market