Agrisera News

Nobel prize winner, professor Emmanuelle Charpentier visits Umeå University

Last Friday, the Nobel Prize Winner in chemistry, professor Emmanuelle Charpentier was appointed a honorary citizen of Umeå in a ceremony organized by Umeå Municipality at Norrland’s Opera in Umeå. Later the same day professor Charpentier visited her former workplace, Umeå University, and attended a panel discussion before colleagues, students, and other interested parties. Her talk focused on the important role of research and researchers in the society and was a great inspiration for all who attended.

Professor Charpentier research during her stay in Umeå led to the discovery of CRISPR-cas9 gene editing tool, which application spans from agriculture to treatment of human diseases. We are proud that such a discovery has been made at Umeå University, which Agrisera is collaborating with over the last 40 years.

Emmanuelle Charpentier at Umeå University

Interview with Dr. Kirk J Czymmek

Dr. Kirk J Czymmek

Dr. Kirk J Czymmek serves as Principal Investigator and Director of the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. His work focuses on the development and application of advanced microscopy techniques—including light, x-ray, and electron microscopy, as well as super-resolution and cryo-methodologies—to address fundamental questions in plant-microbe interactions. The aim is to use advanced imaging to help uncover how plants respond, guiding new strategies to protect yields and ensure food security.

- Please tell us about yourself and your research/institution.

I am a microscopist and specialize in plant-microbe interactions as a Principal Investigator and Director of the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. In my current role, I apply and develop advanced microscopy tools in plant science dedicated to producing more nutritious food and improving the environment. I received my doctorate in Botany and Plant Pathology at Michigan State University and did a post-doctoral position at the DuPont Company in CR&D Plant Molecular Genetics group before a career encompassing both academia and industry. My expertise in most forms of light, x-ray and electron microscopy, including super-resolution microscopy, cryo-techniques and correlative microscopy has enabled me to develop and apply cutting-edge microscopy tools for imaging cells, tissues and biomaterials.

- What motivated you to get into plant science?

My family grew cash crops, including alfalfa, timothy, and high-quality hay for the racehorses. As the middle child of seven on the farm, I was a laborer. It was hot, hard work, but the free-range childhood inspired my early interest in science. I went to college with a focus on biology and the courses I enjoyed the most were my plant systematics class, microbiology, and electron microscopy. I’m a very visual person, and looking through the eyepieces of any microscope opened a whole new world to me with seemingly unlimited opportunities for discovery.

As the world’s warming continues, plants will be more stressed and vulnerable. Under higher humidity and warmer environmental conditions, fungi and other pathogens thrive, and diseases once limited to the tropics continue to spread. Disease resistance and crop protection strategies are important for plants so we can figure out how to grow more food in challenging conditions. We need more productivity to feed the world. Advanced imaging is a very important tool to help us solve these challenges.

- How have you used (Agrisera) antibodies in your research?

Both over my career and in ongoing research, Agrisera is my first stop for a trusted source to find high quality antibodies (e.g. for cell walls, cytoskeleton, organelles, to name just a few) for molecular and imaging plant applications. What I especially like is their comprehensive documentation on what approaches, citations and/or protocol overviews a particular antibody has been demonstrated and suitable for. This ultimately saves a lot of time and money without having to guess if it works or not.

- Any further comments?

Joanna Porankiewicz-Asplund is an OUTSTANDING resource if you are trying to get technical guidance and support, either before you start or already working with Agrisera antibodies. In addition, if you have used an antibody and it worked great, let her know and she can share exemplary data for others in the plant community.

Links

• Dr. Kirk J Czymmek
• Agrisera cell wall antibodies
• Agrisera antibodies to proteins building Cytoskeleton

Agrisera at 12th Conference of the Polish Society of Experimental Plant Biology

Agrisera is in Warszawa this week, at the 12th Conference of the Polish Society of Experimental Plant Biology🌿which takes place at the Faculty of Biology of Warsaw University.

Dr. Joanna Porankiewicz Asplund, Technical Support Manager at Agrisera is waiting for you to talk about your dream antibodies, antibody techniques, tips and tricks and much more.

Take your chance to win a free antibody with our fortune wheel or grab a hard copy of educational poster focused on photosynthesis, epigenetics, protein extraction or Western blot.

Agrisera at PSEB conference

Interview with Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias

Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias

Dr. Alejandra A. Covarrubias is a professor in the Plant Molecular Biology Department at the Biotechnology Institute of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus Morelos. She has dedicated her career to exploring the molecular mechanisms that underlie plant responses to environmental stress, with a strong focus on water scarcity. In this interview, Dr. Covarrubias reflects on her scientific journey and highlights the critical role of plant research in achieving sustainable agriculture.

- Please tell us about yourself and your research/institution.

I am currently a full professor in the Plant Molecular Biology Department at the Biotechnology Institute of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus Morelos. I completed all my higher education in UNAM, Mexico City Campus. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Biological Chemistry, followed by MSc and PhD degrees in the Biomedical Sciences program.

My graduate research focused on applying recombinant DNA technology to study the genetic regulation of bacterial nitrogen metabolism. During my thesis work, I isolated and characterized the first gene for the glutamine synthetase, a central enzyme in nitrogen metabolism across all organisms, and other genes involved in its regulation. As part of my graduate training, I spent two years in Dr. Herbert Boyer’s lab at the University of California, at San Francisco. There, I learned the fundamentals of recombinant DNA and cloning from the leading scientist in the field. This experience had a profound impact on my career, giving me the opportunity to learn from outstanding mentors and gain exposure to diverse scientific and biotechnological approaches. I also witnessed the early, often controversial discussions surrounding the use of recombinant DNA.

After returning to Mexico, I completed my PhD and received my first job offer from the Biomedical Research Institute at UNAM, where I continued studying the genetic control of nitrogen metabolism. Two years later, I was invited to join to the newly created Nitrogen Fixation Research Center (CIFN)in Cuernavaca, Morelos - the first UNAM initiative to decentralise scientific research. At this point, the idea was to start a research group working on plant molecular biology, a field that taken root in Mexico. This marked a pivotal moment in my career, as it. represented both a significant challenge and an exciting opportunity to contribute to scientific development in my country. I was privileged to receive a fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation, which allowed me to train in plant biology. I was fortunate to be accepted into Dr. Virginia Walbot’s lab in the Biological Sciences Department at Stanford University, to whom I am very grateful. It was there that fell in love with plants and discovered a fascinating and entirely new world. Two years later, following changes in the development plan of the CIFN, the entire plant research group moved to the Genetic Engineering Research Center (now the Biotechnology Institute), where we established the new Plant Molecular Biology Department.

- What motivated you to get into plant science?

There were several reasons that led me to pursue plant science. I recognized the urgent need for our country to establish research groups focused on various aspects of plant molecular biology aiming to build the knowledge base necessary to better understand the plant world and thereby contribute to more sustainable agriculture. On a more personal level, I was particularly intrigued by how plants respond to water scarcity. After speaking with various Mexican agronomist and crop improvement specialists, it became clear that this issue was both serious and urgent. During my long hours in the library, I realized that plants possess remarkably efficient mechanisms to sense, adjust and adapt to changing environmental conditions – a phenomenon that has continued to fascinate me ever since.

- How have you used (Agrisera) antibodies in your research?

My first contact with Agrisera arose from our need to get antibodies against specific plant proteins involved in the plant response to water deficit, which we were studying at that time. Although we were able to generate our own antibodies, issues at our Institute’s facility, created an urgent need for reliable alternatives. Agrisera came to the rescue. I reached out Joanna Porankiewicz, and we received a prompt, professional service along with high-quality antibodies. Since then, Agrisera has become our preferred source for antibodies.

- Any further comments?

Thank you Joanna Porankiewicz-Asplund. I hope Agrisera continues to support our research through its expertise in antibody production and protein detection techniques.

Links

• Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias
• Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias' research group
• Agrisera antibodies to proteins involved in environmental stress response

Agrisera's 40 years celebration

On 28th of August, Agrisera celebrated its 40th anniversary with a great party at Elite Hotel Mimer. Over 80 participants, coworkers and colleagues participated in this special event.

In a short interview, Agrisera founder, Greger Nordlund shared his insights into the company’s beginnings and its impressive journey of growth over the years. Co-workers who have been with Agrisera over 10 and 20 years participated in the interview too and shared precious moments from the company´s history.

The party was filled with music and celebration of this great achievement - highlighting the collaborative spirit and problem-solving mindset that have defined the Agrisera team for the past 40 years. With many plans for the future, and Agrisera recent acquisition by Thermo Fisher Scientific, it opens new avenues for the future. Here’s to the next chapter in Agrisera’s inspiring story!

Agrisera 40 years celebration

Latest

How to interpret Western blot results, a new webinar with Agrisera, conducted with Agrisera distributor in Taiwan, Yao-Hong Biotechnology Inc.
2025-10-10 Interview with Assoc. Prof. Alizée Malnoë
2025-10-01 Nobel prize winner, professor Emmanuelle Charpentier visits Umeå University
2025-09-29 Interview with Dr. Kirk J Czymmek
2025-09-22 Agrisera at 12th Conference of the Polish Society of Experimental Plant Biology
2025-09-09 Interview with Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias
2025-09-03 Agrisera's 40 years celebration
2025-09-01 Meet with Agrisera at Chlamy 2025
2025-08-25 Two conferences supported by Agrisera this week
2025-08-22 Interview with Prof. Wolfgang Schröder
2025-08-21

Agrisera News

Nobel prize winner, professor Emmanuelle Charpentier visits Umeå University

Interview with Dr. Kirk J Czymmek

Dr. Kirk J Czymmek

Agrisera at 12th Conference of the Polish Society of Experimental Plant Biology

Interview with Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias

Prof. Alejandra A. Covarrubias

Agrisera's 40 years celebration

Agrisera News

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