Robert Richter started working with VitisGen2 as a postdoctoral associate in September 2021 after completing his PhD at the Julius-Kühn Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (JKI). His PhD thesis focused on the determination of key drivers of grapevine cluster architecture and the detection of genetic regions and candidate genes involved in cluster architecture.
Robert’s career started with a B.Sc. degree in viticulture and enology from the Hochschule Geisenheim University in Germany, where his thesis work focused on non-destructive water potential measurements intended to support automated irrigation management in vineyards. After graduation, he worked for a year as technical manager of a wine estate. He proceeded to a master´s study course in agrobiotechnology at the University of Giessen in Germany, focusing on molecular plant breeding. His thesis was conducted in cooperation with Geilweilerhof, and he worked on the determination of molecular markers linked to fungal resistance in an interspecific breeding line.
What got you interested in plant genetics, breeding, and phenotyping?
In the course of my work as technical manager in a wine estate, I realized the enormous input-levels that are demanded to produce grapes and wine regardless of the viticultural system. New stress-resilient varieties provide the opportunity to reduce the ecological footprint of viticulture. Thus, genetics, phenotyping and breeding, aiming at the introduction of new sustainable varieties, are at the center of my research ambitions.
What is your role with the VitisGen2 project?
As a member of the genetics team, I will work on the development of DNA markers that could be used for marker assisted selection of phenotypic and disease related traits.
How will your previous work and research experiences fit in with the overall goals of the project?
In my former position I was working with complex grapevine traits with many minor sub-traits contributing to an overall phenotype e.g., grapevine cluster architecture. In the course of my work, I identified the key drivers that substantially contributed to the desired phenotype in Individuals of diverse genetic backgrounds. Subsequently, I used quantitative genetic studies and gene expression experiments to detect a set of first molecular markers associated with cluster architecture. This was a first step towards marker-assisted selection of important drivers for reducing cluster compactness. Building on my previous experience in grapevine phenotyping and genetics and my current learning efforts, I hope to be able to contribute substantially to the development and application of advanced methods in breeding and genetics.
What are you most looking forward to about beginning work with VitisGen2?
As a newcomer, I hope to establish good relationships with all members of the team. I’m looking forward to learning about each person’s distinctive perspective and contribution to the project.
Personally, I would like to broaden my understanding of practices that allow the identification of quantitative genetic cues and their association to complex traits. Particularly, I would like to gain further experience in genomics and interrelated computational techniques.
What tip would you give someone just joining the project (or just beginning a career in plant breeding)?
Retrospectively, as a beginner in plant breeding, I would try to select my career steps based on the applied technique rather than on a preferred crop. Be open and flexible to change. Seek to collaborate with people of different fields of study. This may allow you to locate your tasks in a bigger picture.