Sabine Öttl

I studied Biology with a focus on Molecular Biology at the Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck. Afterwards, I earned a PhD at the Technical University Dresden.

I‘ve been working at Laimburg Research Centre since 2006 (with a 3-year interruption working in the private sector), and I am responsible for the „Phytopathology“ working group since 2017. I am chiefly concerned with fungal pathogens in the field of fruit- and winegrowing. Activities include the identification and genetic characterization of pathogens, the determination, and description of symptoms as well as of infection conditions, epidemiological studies in the field, and studying the impact of storage. Using microbiological and biomolecular methods, I study the genetic and biological foundations of fungi and thus, I can contribute to improving our understanding of diseases and the development of preventive strategies.

For me, one special highlight of the 2020/2021 season was the identification of Venturia asperata and a Colletotrichum species on apple. Both fungal species were then detected for the first time in South Tyrolean apple orchards. Thanks to the impassioned work of my group, the determination of these fungi was possible within only a few weeks after the appearance of symptoms in the field. In the last two years, my team has made me especially proud because my coworkers showed an exceptional level of enthusiasm both with respect to agricultural practice and research!

The aspect of my work at Laimburg Research Centre that I most appreciate is that I can pool my long-term practical experience in the field of fruit- and wine-growing, my sound education, and my passion for science – while helping to shape and advance South Tyrol‘s agriculture.