Professor Dr. rer. nat. habil. Dr. François Buscot
Head of the department
Contact / Address:
francois.buscot@ufz.de
Tel.: +49 345-5585-221
Fax: +49 345-5585-449
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Department of Soil Ecology
Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4
D-06120 Halle/Saale
Formation
1975-1979
Chemical biology, University of Lille (F) - undergraduate
1979-1981
Botany, plant physiology and ecology, University of Strasbourg (F) - graduate
1981-1982
Military service
1982-1983
Diploma (DEA) in cell and molecular biology, Universities of Besançon, Strasbourg and Nancy (F)
1983-1987
Doctoral thesis in plant biology, University of Strasbourg
1988-1989
Postdoctoral fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, stage at the Department of Botany and Mycology of the University of Tübingen (D)
1996
Habilitation in soil biology, technical university of Braunschweig (D)
Positions
1990-1991
Research scientist at the Department of Botany and Mycology of the University of Tübingen (D), investigation of recognition mechanisms in ectomycorrhizal symbioses
1991-1996
Senior scientist at the Institute of Soil Biology of the Federal Research Centre of Agriculture of Braunschweig (D), leader of the research group on soil fungi and mycorrhizas
1996-1997
Research scientist at the Institute for Soil Ecology of the GSF- Research Centre for Environment and Health of München-Neuherberg (D)
1997-2003
Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Jena (D)
2003-2005
Professor and Head of the Department of Terrestrial Ecology at the University of Leipzig (D)
since 2005
Head of the Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Research interests
My main interest in research is the ecology of soil fungi and mycorrhizas. In the frame of my doctoral thesis and of my habilitation, I tried to elucidate the biological and ecological strategies of higher ascomycetes and in particular of the morels. Therefore, I used a broad range of field and laboratory techniques like light and transmission electron microscopy, analyses of metabolites, isoenzymes and DNA (PCR) and also cultivation models in pure culture or in association with higher plants.
I used this expertise to develop projects dealing with:
- the microbial decontamination of polluted soils
- the significance of stuctural and functional diversity of soil microorganisms and mycorrhizas in natural and man disturbed ecosystems
- the significance of mycorrhiza for restoration of ancient mining or industrial sites (Verena Blanke + Carsten Renker)
- the influence of arbuscular mycorrhiza on plant biodiversity (Stephan König + Stefan Hempel + Carsten Renker)
- the mycorrhizal interactions of transgenic aspens (Michael Kaldorf)
- the recognition mechanisms and regulation of ectomycorrhizal symbioses between oaks and fungi with diverse strategies (Sylvie Herrmann, Patrick Frettinger)
- the role of soil fungi for mineralisation and stabilization of organic soil matter (Harald Kellner + Stephan König)
My teaching activity
- I am full professor for terestrial Ecology at the
Institute for Biology I at the University of Leipzig - Lectures, seminars, practical courses and excursions with emphasis on general ecology, soil ecology, human ecology and molecular ecology
- Special lectures and seminars on symbioses and mycorrhizas
Honors
1984
Prize of the "Foundation of France"
1988-1989
Humboldt Fellow
2000
Offer of two full professor positions for Botany and Plant Ecology at the Universities of Nancy and Strasbourg (F)
2003-2005
Member of the evaluation board mathematics and natural sciences by the German institute for accreditation and certification of university curricula (ACQUIN)
since 2004
Member and vice chairman of the evaluation college for plant sciences by the German Science Foundation (DFG)
2005
Offer of two full professor positions for Ecology and Geobotany at the Universities of Bielefeld and Trier (Germany)
since 2006
Member of the Editorial Board of Mycological progress
Complete Publications
Thesis
Buscot F. (1996)
Untersuchung der Zusammenhänge zwischen biologischen Merkmalen und
ökologischen Strategien der Pilz-Gattung Morchella unter variierenden
Biotopbedingungen
Habilitation thesis.
Buscot F. (1987)
Contribution à l'étude d'une espèce de morille de la forêt rhénane,
Morchella rotunda (Pers.) Boudier, perspectives de domestication
Doctoral thesis.
Buscot F. (1983)
Multiplication végétative de Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata
subvar. spherica f. alba.
Diploma thesis.
Buscot F., Cheviron D. & Gorget J.F. (1981)
Concurence inter- et intraspécifique entre trois espèces aquatiques, Lemna
minor, Azolla filiculoides, et Salvinia natans.
Master Thesis.
