Ischebeck Group

The GC Metabolomics Unit Biology of Plants (GCMUB)

The GC-based Metabolomics Unit Biology of Plants (GCMUB) is based at the Institute for Biology und Biotechnology of plants - IBBP. The instrument used for analysis is the 8890 GC with 7250 QTOF MS and headspace and SPME analyser purchased from Agilent in 2024.

We can perform various metabolomic analysis for groups of the IBBP, but also for other groups of the Department of Biology, independent of their respective association with any of the institutes. In Addition, we’re open to analysing samples from all groups within the university of Münster as well as other academic (non-profit) organizations, such as MPIs. We welcome all requests for collaborations on versatile scientific projects that could result in meaningful and significant scientific findings. read more

Our work is focused on lipid droplets, special organelles consisting of a phospholipid monolayer surrounding a core of hydrophobic compounds, in most cases predominantly triacylglycerol. They are prominent in seeds of angiosperms, the tapetum and the cytosol of pollen grains, and occur in principal in all plant tissues in varying numbers.
Many aspects of lipid droplet synthesis and degradation are not understood. Also, much needs to be learned about the purpose of lipid droplets besides their function as an energy and carbon storage in seeds. One reason for the poor understanding of lipid droplets is the small number of proteins actually known to reside at these organelles. We use quantitative proteomics of lipid droplet-enriched fractions and validate the candidates by a cell biological methods. Then, we functionally characterize these proteins using genetic, biochemical and cell biological approaches. We now use lipid droplets as micro-factories and storehouses for valuable hydrophobic compounds.

Our research is currently supported by the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes and the DFG, including a Heisenberg professorship awarded to Till Ischebeck.