Søren Bak

Søren Bak

Professor

ORCID: 0000-0003-4100-115X

Research:

Plants have evolved an astounding diversity of biochemical innovations to fine tune biotic interactions. These specialized compounds are involved in both beneficial interactions of plants with other organisms and in the chemical arms race between plants and their pests, as well as having an untapped potential for biotechnological solutions in the green transition. 

Our group combines classical biochemistry, metabolomics, molecular biology and molecular evolution to decode how evolution works at the molecular and biochemical level. The current projects focus on saponins as potential bio-pesticides for sustainable agriculture to substitute synthetic pesticides (EcoSap), having both a basic science angle, a link to the Green Transition, and environmental impact (SapFate).

The projects bring together research groups within plant biochemistry, membrane biophysics, environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, and microbial interactions in soil.

For further information please visit Molecular evolution of specialized metabolism.

Academic degrees: 1997: Ph.D., KVL. 1993: Cand. scient. University of Copenhagen.

Employment: Present: Professor, Dept. of Plant Biology, LIFE, KU. 2000 - 2005 Assistant & Associate Prof. Dept. of Plant Biology, KVL. 1998 - 2000: Visiting Scientist. The University of Arizona, USA.

Management

Research group leader for the Molecular Evolution Research Group. 

Studyleader BSc Biotechnology education 2008-2012.

Head of Plant Biochemistry section at PLEN 2015-2023.

Undervisnings- og vejledningsområder

Bioinformatik  - LBIB10123

Videregående plantebiologi - LPLB10333

Leading Research - a cross faculty development program at UCPH

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