IPK Gatersleben - Leibniz Institute

What IPK Gatersleben - Leibniz Institute does

IPK Gatersleben (Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung) is a German non-profit research institute founded in 1943, operating as a foundation under public law of the State of Saxony-Anhalt and a member of the Leibniz Association. It is jointly financed by the German federal government and federal states, with additional third-party grants from EU, DFG, and international sources. The institute employs over 500 staff, including 180 scientists from more than 30 countries, and is headquartered in Gatersleben (Seeland) with a secondary weather monitoring site in Malchow. Its statutory core mission is the operation of the Federal Ex-situ Genebank, one of the world's largest plant genetic resource collections with 151,348+ accessions spanning cereals, legumes, oilseeds, fodder plants, and potatoes; approximately 20,000 seed samples are distributed annually to researchers, breeders, and institutions worldwide.

The institute's product and service portfolio is organized around this genebank. Core offerings include the GBIS/I Genebank Information System, the EURISCO European Search Catalogue, PanBARLEX barley pangenome explorer, BRIDGE, Mansfeld, and the e!DAL/PGP research data repositories with DataCite DOI assignment, supported by bioinformatics tools such as DivBrowse, MISA-web, Kmasker Plants, and an IPK Galaxy Blast Suite. Physical research infrastructure comprises the IPK-PhänoSphäre high-throughput phenotyping hall, 30 large glasshouses with 83 controllable compartments (5,300+ m²), 203 smaller glasshouses (3,400+ m²), a rain-out shelter, high-throughput and single-molecule sequencing platforms, an NMR platform, cryo and stress biology facilities, and 80–90 ha of arable land. Research platforms include a genome editing facility covering Arabidopsis, tobacco, tomato, rapeseed, camelina, barley, wheat, triticale, and maize, an AI model for predicting regulatory protein binding to plant DNA (launched 2026), and computer vision for automated phenotyping.

IPK does not operate commercial pricing; seed samples, genetic resources, and data are provided to global research and breeding users on a non-commercial basis, and revenue is effectively public funding plus competitive grants. Customer segments are research institutions and universities, plant breeding companies, government and policy bodies, and graduate students, served through self-serve database access, direct genebank ordering, and participation in international consortia (Crop Trust, CGIAR, IWGSC, International Barley Sequencing Consortium, ECPGR, ELIXIR, de.NBI, DataPLANT, FAIRagro, NFDI4Biodiversity, EMPHASIS, IPPN, DPPN, CEPLAS, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, and MLU Halle-Wittenberg). Marketing is conducted through the institute website, newsletter, social channels, press releases, and scientific events such as the Gatersleben Lectures and an annual Open Day.

Name

IPK Gatersleben - Leibniz Institute

Legal name

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung

Website

https://ipk-gatersleben.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

IPK Gatersleben is a German Leibniz research institute operating the Federal Ex-situ Genebank with 151,000+ plant accessions. It provides genetic resources, bioinformatics databases, phenotyping infrastructure, and genome editing services to researchers, plant breeders, and international agricultural organizations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Oilseed and Grain Farming (1111)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Seed Collection, Processing & Storage (Provenance/Genetics) (AFAMACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Breeding & Bioinformatics Software (Breeding informatics, decision tools) (AFABALAL), Trait Discovery & Functional Genomics (Target ID/Validation) (AFABALAC), Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development (AFAGAIAG), Genotyping Platforms & Services (SNP arrays, GBS, sequencing) (AFABALAE)

Keywords

• Plant genetic resources
• Crop science research
• Genebank services
• Plant bioinformatics
• Genome editing research

Headquarters

HQ city

Seeland

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: IPK is a non-profit research institution financed jointly by the German federal government and federal states. Member of the Leibniz Association. Receives core funding for research operations and infrastructure maintenance.
2. Third-Party Funding and Research Grants: IPK participates in various research projects including EU-funded initiatives, DFG-funded collaborative research centers, and international consortium projects. Research positions are often funded through third-party grants.
3. Seed and Genetic Material Distribution: Approximately 20,000 seed samples distributed annually to researchers, institutions, and breeders worldwide from the genebank collection. Material supply from the Federal Ex-situ Genebank.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IPK Gatersleben operates the Federal Ex-situ Genebank and conducts fundamental and applied research in plant genetics and crop science. The institute preserves over 151,000 plant genetic resource accessions, distributes approximately 20,000 seed samples annually to researchers and breeders worldwide, and provides research infrastructure including bioinformatics databases, phenotyping platforms, sequencing services, and genome editing capabilities.

Product overview

IPK Gatersleben is a federally-funded German research institute operating the Federal Ex-situ Genebank, one of the world's largest plant genetic resource collections with over 151,000 accessions. The institute provides a comprehensive platform of research infrastructure products and services organized around its genebank operations: the GBIS/I information system and EURISCO catalogue manage and distribute genetic resources globally; bioinformatics tools including DivBrowse, MISA-web, Kmasker Plants, and the Galaxy-based IPK Galaxy Blast Suite enable genomic data analysis; the e!DAL and PGP repositories support research data publication with DOIs; IPK-PhänoSphäre and supporting phenotyping platforms offer automated high-throughput plant analysis; sequencing, metabolomics, microscopy, and genome editing services provide molecular biology capabilities. Together these products form an integrated bio-digital resource center supporting global plant science research and crop breeding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GBIS/I - Genebank Information System Central information system managing the Federal Ex-situ Genebank collection with over 151,000 accessions, enabling search, ordering, and distribution of plant genetic resources to researchers and breeders worldwide.
• EURISCO European Search Catalogue European search catalogue for plant genetic resources providing worldwide access to ex-situ collection data across European genebanks.
• PanBARLEX - Barley Pangenome Explorer Interactive visualization platform for barley pangenome data enabling exploration of genetic diversity in barley.
• BRIDGE Database for plant genetic resource data management and visualization.
• Mansfeld Database Botanical and agricultural database containing information on cultivated plants and their genetic resources.
• DivBrowse Interactive visualization and exploratory data analysis tool for variant call matrices in plant genomics research.
• IPK Galaxy Blast Suite Bioinformatics analysis platform providing sequence similarity search and analysis tools for plant genomic data.
• Kmasker Plants Tool for assessing complex sequence space in plant species for genome analysis.
• MISA-web Web server for microsatellite (SSR) prediction and primer design for plant sequence analysis.
• e!DAL - electronic Data Archive Library Research data repository infrastructure for storing, sharing, and publishing plant genomics and phenomics data with DOI assignment capabilities through DataCite integration.
• PGP Repository Plant phenomics and genomics data publication infrastructure operated as part of the de.NBI/ELIXIR service network for life sciences.
• IPK-PhänoSphäre (IPK PhenoSphere) One of the world's largest plant cultivation halls equipped with automated phenotyping platforms for high-throughput plant analysis.
• High-Throughput Sequencing Platform DNA/RNA sequencing services including Illumina-based high-throughput sequencing and PacBio SMRT sequencing for plant genomics research.
• NMR Platform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance platform for metabolomics and assimilate allocation analysis in plant research.
• Genome Editing Platform Site-directed genetic engineering platform covering Arabidopsis, tobacco, tomato, rapeseed, camelina, barley, wheat, triticale, and maize for gene function elucidation and crop improvement.
• Cryo and Stress Biology Services Cryopreservation and stress response research services for long-term conservation of plant genetic resources with duplicates transferred to the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard.
• Seed and Genetic Material Distribution Service Distribution of approximately 20,000 seed samples annually to researchers, institutions, and plant breeders worldwide from the Federal Ex-situ Genebank collection.
• AI Model for Plant Gene Regulation Prediction AI model predicting where regulatory proteins bind to plant DNA to control gene activity, predicting impact of 7,000+ DNA variants on gene regulation and enabling transfer from model species to crops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,000 DNA variants predicted for impact on gene regulation with approximately one in five shifting transcription factor binding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major, regional and international.

• CEPLAS - Cluster of Excellence on Plant SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPK participates in CEPLAS, a Cluster of Excellence focused on plant sciences, representing a major collaborative research initiative in Germany.
• Collaborative Research Centre 'Plant Proteoform Diversity'coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPK collaborates in this DFG-funded collaborative research centre focused on plant proteoform diversity.
• DataPLANTcoreTechnology or IntegrationNational research data infrastructure initiative for plant sciences. IPK contributes data management expertise and FAIR data principles implementation.
• de.NBI - German Network for Bioinformatics InfrastructurecoreTechnology or IntegrationIPK serves as a partner in de.NBI providing bioinformatics services including the PGP repository for plant phenomics data publication.
• ELIXIRcoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean Infrastructure Network for Life Sciences. IPK participates in ELIXIR activities related to data management and bioinformatics.
• FAIRagrocoreTechnology or IntegrationConsortium within NFDI focused on FAIR data principles for agricultural research. IPK contributes expertise in research data management.
• CGIARmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership engaged in research about crops, agriculture, and climate change. IPK collaborates on international agricultural research initiatives.
• Crop TrustflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization dedicated to conserving and making available crop diversity. IPK's genebank contributes to global efforts for crop biodiversity conservation.
• International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration to sequence the wheat genome. IPK contributes expertise in wheat genetics and genomics research.
• International Barley Sequencing ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational consortium for barley genome sequencing. IPK contributes research and expertise in barley genetics.
• European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean program for plant genetic resources cooperation. IPK contributes to EURISCO database and European genebank coordination.
• NFDI4BiodiversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationNational research data infrastructure for biodiversity. IPK contributes data management solutions and biodiversity expertise.
• Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal cooperation for joint research, doctoral supervision, and academic programs. IPK Graduate Program associated with International Graduate Center (INGRA) at MLU.
• Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, GolmmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal cooperation with leading plant science research institution in Germany for joint research activities.
• Julius Kühn-Institute, QuedlinburgregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cooperation with German federal research institute for plant protection and crop science located nearby.
• National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, JapaninternationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation with Japanese agricultural research institute for plant genetics collaboration.
• EMPHASIS - European Plant Phenotyping NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean infrastructure for plant phenotyping. IPK contributes phenotyping expertise and infrastructure including IPK-PhenoSphere.
• International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal network for plant phenotyping. IPK participates with its comprehensive phenotyping infrastructure and expertise.
• Deutsches Pflanzen Phänotypisierungsnetzwerk (DPPN)regionalTechnology or IntegrationGerman plant phenotyping network connecting research institutions. IPK contributes infrastructure and research capabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• John Innes Centre: UK plant science and microbiology research institute. Operates a major germplasm resource, wheat and barley genomics programs, and phenotyping infrastructure — directly comparable to IPK's mission. Anna Backhaus (IPK Genebank head) previously worked at JIC.
• Wageningen University & Research: Netherlands-based agricultural research powerhouse with comparable plant-genetics, breeding, and seed-genetic-resources capabilities alongside large phenotyping facilities (Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre). Both serve as European hubs for crop genetic resource research.
• Rothamsted Research: UK-based agricultural research institute (BBSRC-funded) operating long-term agricultural experiments and crop genetics programs. Comparable in scale and public-research-institute model with focus on crop improvement and bioinformatics.
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): CGIAR center maintaining extensive maize and wheat germplasm collections with global breeding-pre-breeding programs. Directly comparable to IPK's genebank and pre-breeding functions in wheat/barley, and an existing IPK partner.
• Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology: Germany-based plant science research institute with formal cooperation agreement with IPK. Comparable German public-research model, focused on molecular plant physiology, metabolomics, and systems biology.
• International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA): CGIAR center with which IPK actively collaborates on pre-breeding cereals for dry areas (Anna Backhaus previously worked there). Comparable ex-situ genetic resource conservation mandate and germplasm distribution to global breeders.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Agricultural Research Service: The U.S. national agricultural research agency operating the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) with similar ex-situ genebank functions and crop genetics research. Far broader portfolio but directly comparable on the plant-genetic-resources mandate.

Emerging players

• Earlham Institute: UK life-sciences research institute focused on genomics and bioinformatics. Overlaps with IPK's bioinformatics/database work (BARLEX, BRIDGE, EURISCO) and plant genomics AI applications, though smaller and more specialised.

Others

• Crop Trust: International non-profit dedicated to conserving crop diversity and supporting the Svalbard Global Seed Vault — an institutional partner of IPK and a complementary organization, not a direct research competitor.

Regional players

• Julius Kühn-Institut: German federal research institute for cultivated-plant sciences and plant protection, located in nearby Quedlinburg. Regional partner with partial overlap in crop genetics, focused on plant protection rather than genetic-resource conservation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LeibnizIPK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ipkleibniz-institut4292
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ipk-gatersleben
• Facebookfacebook.com/IPKGatersleben

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IPK Gatersleben - Leibniz Institute