The laboratory of Biochemistry and Glycobiology studies the biological activities of stress-related proteins in plants. To survive, plants synthesize small compounds and a variety of proteins. Our research focuses on two important groups of stress-related proteins: lectins and ribosome-inactivating proteins. Currently the research focuses primarily on 1) the study of plant lectins and their interactions with carbohydrate structures in the plant or on the pathogen and 2) The importance of ribosome-inactivating plants for plant development. Using a multidisciplinary approach (plant biochemistry, molecular biotechnology, cell biology, glycobiology) novel strategies are being developed to create plants with better growth and stress tolerance in changing environmental conditions. In addition, our research also contributes to the use of lectins as tools for (bio)medical applications.