Structure/function relationships and modes of action of plant strengthening ulvans

Rebecca Melcher (the third generation MCGS doctoral candidate working in the group of Prof. Moerschbacher) investigates molecular structure/function relationships and cellular modes of action of the sulfated polysaccharide ulvan isolated from green algae that induces disease resistance in plants. This project follows leads of our chitosan projects, in terms of structural and functional analysis, but also profits from the experience of other MCGS groups with sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Rebecca has established protocols for the partial chemical depolymerisation and desulfation of ulvans, and she is now analysing the resulting oligomers using mass spectrometry in collaboration with the group of Dr. Mormann. In collaboration with the group of Prof. Hensel, she is currently analyzing the fine structure of the ulvan polymers. In parallel, she has developed a microtitre plate based bioassay for the analysis of elicitor and priming activities towards suspension cultured plant cells. In collaboration with Ekaterina Gubaeva and Prof. Niehaus from Bielefeld University, she will screen Arabidopsis mutants to identify possible ulvan receptors. In collaboration with the group of Appa Rao, she will use cDNA arrays to look for genes up/down-regulated upon ulvan treatment in Arabidopsis and tomato, to compare these with results of parallel work planned by Anne Vortkamp and Ekaterina Gubaeva using chitosans.

Last update 29.05.2013

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