Healthy growth of wheat, maize and other crops is not possible without the plant's own hormones. Professor Ulrich Hammes is investigating the proteins that help the hormones reach their sites of action.

Plants adapt their water consumption to environmental conditions by counting and calculating environmental stimuli with their guard cells. Plant researchers from Würzburg report this in ‘Current Biology’.

Using optogenetics, Würzburg researchers have detected a new acid sensor in plant cells that is addressing a cell-internal calcium store, as they report in the journal "Science".

Plants in which an ion channel of the vacuole is hyperactive are extremely stressed and grow poorly. But the broad bean is an exception, as Würzburg researchers have discovered.

How can viruses be effectively tackled despite their constant evolution? The newly established international doctoral network VirION aims to address this question. Researchers at the University of Würzburg are investigating how specific cell organelles are altered during viral infection and which new targets may emerge from these changes for broadly effective antiviral therapies.

Carpenter ants amputate the injured legs of fellow ants to minimise the risk of infection. A new study involving a Würzburg researcher shows that this task is primarily carried out by ants switching from indoor to outdoor duties.

A new study from the University of Würzburg shows that a varied forest structure influences spider diversity. Creating forest clearings can, in some cases, significantly reduce this diversity.

Around 500 protein researchers are expected in Würzburg in late 2026. The Proteomics Forum 2026 will be held here alongside the 15th EuPA Congress. Conference abstracts may be submitted until 30 June; the registration deadline is 15 September.