Bernhardt Michael Steinwender

Background

About Bernhardt Michael Steinwender

Solid state fermentation - Biological Control - Entomology Advancing solid state fermentation Together with my team (Team FERM in Wismar) we set the new standards for solid state fermentation:+ Applying new technology to monitor the fermentation parameters in more detail + Developing high throughput screening methods to optimize the fermentation substrate(s)+ Optimizing the downstream process for an even more efficient harvest of the microbial organisms + Adding new fermenter types for an even more efficient scale-up + Producing spore material for lab trials, formulation experiments and field testing + Combining and implementing the new findings and all our experience to upgrade the existing and develop a new fermentation system I am very proud of my Team and what we accomplished in the last 2 year!* Biological Control Approximately 20 years ago I attended my first lectures about Biological Control and soon after the theory, the first infection experiments with Beauveria bassiana and bark beetles followed- I found my passion! Today I am an expert in:+ producing and applying of insect-pathogenic fungi, bacteria and nematodes + developing and conducting bio-assays in the lab, greenhouse and in the field + isolating, identifying and screening of new fungal isolates for biological control To be able to be successful with Biological Control, we do not only need to understand how insect pathogens work and thrive, but also where (pest)insects are most vulnerable. For that my 3rd field of experience comes in very handy:* Entomology + Insect morphology and biology help to understand strength and weakness of the insect body + Insect ecology sheds light how the insects interact with each-other and with the ecosystem - giving hints when and where application of Biological Control agents might be most efficient + Insect pathology explains how the applied pathogens exactly works (MoA)+ Beneficial Insects (not only pollinators, but also predators and parasites) to know where to check for unwanted side effects or where to get some extra help from