RESEARCH FOCUS
Plant Abiotic Stress Signaling and Response
To adapt to constantly changing environmental conditions, plants have developed sophisticated mechanisms to recognize certain stress situations and adapt their physiology and developmental program to maintain their life cycle. In this context, we are particularly interested in how the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana perceives and reacts to water-limiting conditions, e.g. in periods of drought or high salinity.
One aspect of our research deals with the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA), which regulates the plant's water balance via a well-established signal transduction network. Our research aims to identify the tissues and cell types in which ABA is produced in response to water deficiency and to clarify how ABA is transported from there to other tissues, in particular to and within roots. To this end, we are investigating the functions of ABA transporters. And with the use of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors, we monitor the production, distribution, transport and signaling of ABA in Arabidopsis. With our basic research, we hope to gain deeper insights into how plants respond to water deficits, which is important in the context of climate change.
TEACHING
Winter Semester:
Organization of the “Plants of the Future” lecture series.
Advanced module “Molecular genetics and cell biology”.
Research module “Mechanisms of drought stress responses in plants”.
Summer Semester:
Laboratory course for BSc students “Cell biology and physiology” (Enzyme week).
BSc Theses - on request.
OPEN POSITIONS
MSc Students are welcome to conduct a Master Thesis. Prerequisite is the participation in the research module “Mechanisms of drought stress responses in plants”.
One PhD Student position is currently open (see link and apply until 2025-01-05).