Germany

In a world facing rising temperatures and growing demand for food, EU-supported scientists are looking to one of nature’s oldest processes for answers: turning light into energy, known as photosynthesis. By focusing on the mechanics of this fundamental process that powers all life on Earth, the research team at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) hopes to make crops more resilient and improve food security. The team is part of a wider research network involving researchers at the University of Sheffield and the Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.  

Professor Dario Leister, who leads this study, has always loved plants. What started as a passion and a curiosity about photosynthesis transformed into what he calls ‘a science fiction project’. Instead of experimenting on plants themselves, he studies simple microorganisms that act as miniature models of plants. These fast-growing organisms help scientists see how life adapts to heat, light and change. The goal is to learn from nature’s own ideas and use them to help us grow crops that stay healthy even under changing climatic conditions.  

In microscopic test gardens, his team uses green algae and cyanobacteria, which are chosen for their ability to capture light and absorb CO₂, just like ‘real’ plants. By exposing these microorganisms to intense heat and light in the lab, the team can watch them adapt to extreme conditions. 

As they uncover how microorganisms adapt so rapidly, there is real potential to transfer these mechanisms to actual plants. This could help crops grow stronger and take up less space amid increasingly extreme climate conditions. 

As Professor Dr Marcel Dann, a scientist and member of the research team, notes: ‘It’s like seeing evolution in fast-forward and it’s fascinating.’ 

Professor Leister’s and the wider team’s work is supported by the EU with a European Research Council grant of €7.5 million to transform this ambitious idea into practical solutions. The support also provides essential lab and greenhouse equipment and creates valuable research and teaching opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in Munich, Sheffield and Trebon. 

For Leister, pushing the limits of what’s possible and observing the outcomes is a goal in itself.  

‘That’s the point of science,’ he adds. ‘It’s very much about daring and also having fun.’  

For over 40 years, the EU has championed a spirit of ambition and curiosity. It has supported research, nurturing innovation and collaboration across the globe. From breakthroughs in neuroscience and architecture to Earth monitoring and clean aviation, the EU’s efforts reach far beyond the lab, shaping a better future for everyone.