Vita
Prof. Dr. Aline Koch
Professor of Plant RNA Transport
Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Regensburg
Biography:
Aline Koch is Professor of Plant RNA Transport at the University of Regensburg. Her research focuses on the movement and function of RNA molecules within and between organisms, with particular emphasis on RNA-mediated communication in plant–microbe and plant–insect interactions. She is internationally recognized for her contributions to the development of RNA-based technologies for sustainable crop protection.
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Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of cross-kingdom RNA interference (RNAi) and helped establish Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) as a novel strategy for controlling plant pathogens and pests without genetic modification of the host plant. Current research in her laboratory combines molecular plant biology, RNA biology, biotechnology, and plant pathology to investigate RNA transport mechanisms and to develop next-generation RNA-based solutions for agriculture.
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Before joining the University of Regensburg in 2022, she led independent research groups at Justus Liebig University Giessen and the University of Hohenheim. She obtained her doctoral degree in Plant Pathology from Justus Liebig University Giessen in 2013, graduating summa cum laude.
Research Focus:
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Plant RNA transport and systemic RNA signaling
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RNA interference (RNAi) and gene silencing mechanisms
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Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS)
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RNA-based crop protection technologies
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Sustainable management of plant diseases and insect pests
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Development of RNA formulations, delivery systems, and mRNA technologies for agriculture
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Cross-kingdom RNA communication
Scientific Contributions:
Prof. Koch's research has contributed to several key advances in the emerging field of RNA-based plant protection. Her work provided some of the first experimental evidence that externally applied RNA molecules can trigger gene silencing in plant pathogens, thereby laying the foundation for SIGS as an innovative crop protection strategy. Her laboratory continues to investigate RNA transport and uptake mechanisms in fungi, insects, viruses, and plants, translating fundamental discoveries into practical agricultural applications.
Her research is supported by numerous national and international funding programs and is conducted in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
Awards and Honors:
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Julius Kühn Award (2021), German Phytomedicine Society
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Dissertation Award (2013), Justus Liebig University Giessen
