She has always been fascinated by agriculture and where our food comes from, so it came as no surprise, according to Sara Miller Johansen, that it would also pave the way for a career in research. 

"When I did my bachelor's degree, I was introduced to genetics and biotechnology, and I was captivated by the idea of understanding and, not least, influencing how plants grow and protect themselves," she says. 

Both her master's and PhD led her even deeper into a world consisting of plant chemistry. Here she could work with plants' defense mechanisms and the complex substances that plants produce to survive in nature. After her PhD, Sara Miller Johansen had the choice between a job in the industry and an academic career, and she received several offers from the industry. However, it was the connection to plants that was missing in the jobs she was offered, and combined with the opportunity to work in rural and nature-rich surroundings at Flakkebjerg, she chose research. Additionally, the opportunity to work on a project that had already piqued her interest during her PhD studies was another motivating factor. 

A bitter potato 

Her background in genetics and biotechnology plays a significant role in Sara Miller Johansen's current research, as she has a goal: to create more biodiversity in agriculture and contribute to the green transition. She therefore works with "forgotten" crops and wild plants to develop new and more robust crops using biotechnology and genetic transformation. 

"The way agriculture works now, we only grow a small handful of crops on a large scale worldwide. It's risky in terms of both climate change and food security. What if these crops suddenly can't be grown anymore?" she says. 

Sara Miller Johansen believes that the way forward for agriculture is biodiversity. And when she talks about biodiversity, it's not just in the traditional sense, but rather diversity in the crops we grow in the fields. Therefore, she works with her colleagues to domesticate wild plants and “forgotten” crops using biotechnological methods. Personally, she works with a close relative of the potato, which has the advantage of being naturally disease-resistant compared to the traditional potato. 

"Imagine if we could transform this wild plant into a new crop that doesn't require pesticides and can withstand some of the diseases that can otherwise be a plague for potato growers. It could be a small step towards more sustainable food production," explains Sara Miller Johansen, pointing out that there is a big problem: her potato plant is bitter. It simply produces a lot of unwanted bitter substances. The same bitter substances are also the reason why the plant is so disease-resistant. 

"We really want to develop a version of this plant that only produces the bitter substances in the leaves and not in the tubers. It's a complex process, but when it succeeds, it will be fantastic to think that something I helped develop in the lab might one day end up on our dinner tables," she says. 

Challenges in the lab – and small victories 

The practical aspects of research can sometimes be challenging. Sara Miller Johansen points to the many small things that can be tricky in the lab, such as delays in deliveries or technical support, as part of everyday life. Despite this, there are great victories that drive her work forward, such as the recent success in performing genetic transformation on a wild plant, a crucial milestone for her project. This discovery could potentially lead to the development of crops with better nutritional value and requiring fewer resources. 

The dream of a future with more legumes 

Sara Miller Johansen sees a great future for new plant-based crops, and her hope is that her research can help introduce new protein crops such as legumes into food production. She has already applied for funding for a project that deals with legumes, which can benefit both the climate and agricultural diversity. 

"Imagine if one day I experienced that one of the crops I worked on was grown and used on a large scale. That's the dream," she says. 

She is confident that her research area will grow in line with the increased interest in sustainable agriculture research. Additionally, she hopes that the future will bring a breakthrough in the use of genetic modification in Europe, which would provide new opportunities to develop crops that are both climate-friendly and effective in meeting future challenges. 

A life outside research 

Despite a busy research schedule, Sara Miller Johansen manages to balance her work and leisure time. She and her family have bought a small farm where they keep chickens and grow vegetables. It brings her closer to both nature and agriculture, it kind of gets under your skin, she explains, when you have your hands deeply buried in the soil. 

"Nature and cultivating the land inspire me both in my work life and my free time, and it gives me wonderful peace when, after a busy day in the lab, I can go out and tend to my vegetable garden and my chickens," she says, explaining that it is a peace that is necessary because a research career does not come easy. You have to be on your toes, and there are many working hours. Therefore, she also believes that it is important to be good at separating work and leisure so that you have energy for both. It not only requires research skills if you want to be a researcher, but you also have to be good at writing applications and securing funding to support the research you want to conduct. 

Uncertainty as a challenge 

It is precisely the funding of research that can create the greatest uncertainty, especially for younger researchers like Sara Miller Johansen. "It creates uncertainty regarding funds and project positions. I can't know if I can get the financial support I need to start the next project," she says. As a young researcher, Sara Miller Johansen would like more stability, especially if she is to start a family one day. She points out that the constant hunt for new research funds is both time-consuming and often stressful. Nevertheless, her desire to make a difference is a driving force that keeps her in research - even in a world where job security can sometimes be limited. 

Wanting to make a difference 

For Sara Miller Johansen, research is not just about generating new knowledge; it is an opportunity to create concrete change and development in agriculture. With an increased focus on sustainability and diversity, she is optimistic about the future of her research area, and she believes that the coming years will bring major breakthroughs—not least if the regulations on genetically modified plants change in Europe, which would open up new possibilities. 

"My hope is that my research can contribute to a greener and more diverse future for agriculture—where we can take better care of both the environment and future generations," she concludes. 

Contact

Sara Miller Johansen - click here