Wolfram Köeller
Professor

Address, Phone, Fax

E-Mail: wk11@cornell.edu

Ph.D. 1979 Biochemistry
Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
Diploma 1976 Chemistry
Philipps University, Marburg, Germany

Division of Effort
Research - 100%, Fungicide resistance, ecology of adaptive population responses

Complete CV – html | pdf

My research program is focused on the management of resistance to site-specific antifungal agents. Over the past sixty years, all modern classes of fungicides have been affected by the development of resistance, often causing unexpected and serious crop losses. A primary research goal is to understand the biology and genetics underlying such adaptive responses of pathogen populations. Studies are focused on but are not restricted to Venturia inaequalis causing apple scab. They include the development of appropriate anti-resistance strategies and the prediction of resistance risks inherent to new classes of site-specific fungicides. They also include studies on the identification of new target sites for inhibitors with low risks of resistance. Fungal cutinases serve as a current example. The fundamental aspects of this work are aimed at a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptive responses of pathogens to ever changing environments of agriculture, not only to fungicides but also to resistant crop cultivars including GMO or effective biocontrol agents.

The pathways of resistance development.
How can the risk of resistance be predicted?
Targets with low risks of resistance development ?

Professional Societies
American Phytopathological Society
American Chemical Society

Professional Assignments, Honors, and Awards