The current research of the department focuses on basic aspects of molecular plant biochemistry and physiology, featuring photosynthetic carbon fixation and its exploitation for the synthesis of compounds of primary and secondary metabolism; the regulation of plant metabolism by biotic and abiotic environmental stimuli; the regulation of reproductive processes; and regulatory networks acting to integrate simultaneously functioning metabolic pathways.
We are seeking to develop strategies for the determination and biotechnological production of valuable compounds in plants (Molecular Engineering, Molecular Farming) and the optimising of the performance of crop plants. Furthermore, tools for the analysis of metabolic and proteomic data are developed and applied to aspects of modern plant breeding (Metabolic Profiling). In addition to the use of plant cell cultures and transgenic plants, yeast cellular expression systems have been established to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of specific metabolic pathways, resistances and stress regulation. Other applications include their use as biosensors to identify biologically active compounds, and the analysis of mycorrhiza – plant interactions.
The intergroup research project “Molecular analysis of salt tolerance in barley” was initiated to transfer to barley molecular biological, biochemical and structural analysis techniques developed in other research groups within the department. These will include transcript profiling and QTL analysis, as practised in other IPK departments.
Overview of Physiology and Cell Biology Department's research groups
