Sofie Goormachtig leads the Rhizosphere Group and her team studies how plant roots interact with neighboring organisms in a mutualistic, commensalistic or parasitic way. In particular, we are interested in deciphering the signaling mechanisms that guide these interactions 

Sofie Goormachtig

Group Leader
VIB Group Leader since 2009
Post-doctoral fellow of the Fund for Scientific Research (Flanders) at the Department of Molecular Genetics - 1999-2002
PhD: Laboratorium of Genetics, Gent University - 1991-1997
Contact by email
Phone: +329 331 39 10
Technologiepark 71
UGent-VIB Research Building FSVM
9052 Gent

Research areas

Plant biology Microbiology Systems biology

Model organisms

Research topics

Research Focus

Sofie Goormachtig leads the Rhizosphere Group and her team studies how plant roots interact with neighboring organisms in a mutualistic, commensalistic or parasitic way. In particular, we are interested in deciphering the signaling mechanisms that guide these interactions.

  • Soybean growth in Flanders
  • Strigolactone action in the Rhizosphere
  • Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria
  • Arbuscular mycorrhiza

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Publications

To showcase the world-class scientific research of the Sofie Goormachtig Lab, you can discover their scientific papers in more detail.

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Jobs

We are always on the lookout for highly motivated colleagues to join our team. If you are interested, please contact us.

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Team

The Sofie Goormachtig Lab can only thrive thanks to the dedication and commitment of its people, no matter what their function or seniority.

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Events

To stay up to date in rapidly developing fields, scientists regularly interact with (international) colleagues. Conferences and other (scientific) events are an excellent way to facilitate such a continent-spanning knowledge exchange.

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Goormachtig Lab news

Basic science and business: how big is the gap?

18/06/2018

​I think it was 2014 when VIB’s Innovation & Business Team initiated the talks with our lab and research center. Just like us, they saw the business potential in the field of plant-protecting and plant-stimulating microorganisms. Of course, that didn’t come out of nowhere: we had the expertise, biological agricultural products were becoming a hot topic, and the technology was finally ready. All the pieces of the puzzle were present to sketch out what would later become Aphea.Bio.

From research project to spin-off: Aphea.Bio’s quest for next-generation biologicals

09/12/2017

In the fast-emerging market of sustainable alternatives for chemical agricultural products, VIB spin-off Aphea.Bio is the new kid in town – or rather: in the wheat, barley and maize fields. Launched in June, the start-up’s offices in the Ghent-based Bio-Accelerator are still looking spic and span. However, Scientific Advisor Sofie Goormachtig (VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology), CEO Isabel Vercauteren and CSO Steven Vandenabeele have already spent three exciting years on the project. They’re happy to look back on the highlights, and give us a glimpse of what the future might bring.