Goethe University – iGEM

Fungal pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea pose a serious threat to agriculture, causing major economic losses and increasing pressure on global food systems. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges by creating warmer, more humid conditions that promote fungal spread. Traditional chemical fungicides often fall short—they harm beneficial organisms, disrupt ecosystems, and drive resistance in pathogens, putting long-term food security at risk.

We offer a targeted, sustainable alternative. Using a modular sensor approach with a genomic AND-gate, our engineered bacteria detect pathogen-specific signals related to physiology and secretome, releasing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) only when needed. This ensures precise action and minimizes off-target effects. The platform’s modularity allows adaptation to various crops and fungal threats.