Research goals
The independent research group Applied Chromosome Biology (ACB) studies the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of meiosis and gametogenesis, which are essential for genome stability and fertility. Meiosis and gametogenesis are very susceptible to climate change. Hence, we are especially interested in how conditions influence the above processes. Elucidating underlying mechanisms will allow us to harness sensitivity and enhance tolerance for crop improvement.
We use Arabidopsis as the model plant to address fundamental biological questions. Meanwhile, we also apply our knowledge on cereal crops and economic vegetables.
Our research is embedded in the department of Breeding Research, and we contribute to the IPK research theme FSP3 "Mechanisms of Reproduction".
Selected Projects:
Combining epigenomic, proteomic, and forward genetic approaches, we aim to understand how plants maintain genome stability and fertility during reproductive development, especially under climate change. Currently, we are working on the following topics:
- Identifying the role of epigenetic regulation in meiosis and gametogenesis
- Elucidating the mechanisms of unreduced gamete formation in plants
- Understanding the genetic and epigenetic basis of reproductive thermo-tolerance
Publications
Xu L, Zheng S, Witzel K, Van De Slijke E, Baekelandt A, Mylle E, Van Damme D, Cheng J, De Jaeger G, Inzé D, Jiang H:
Kuhlmann M, Jiang H, Catoni M, Johannes F:
Piskorz E W, Xu L, Ma Y, Jiang H:
Wang N, Wang Z, Tzourtzou S, Wang X, Bi X, Leimeister J, Xu L, Sakamoto T, Matsunaga S, Schaller A, Jiang H, Liu C:
Insights into the role of an Arabidopsis nuclear matrix binding protein AHL22 in chromatin regulation and hypocotyl growth. (PhD Thesis) Halle/S., Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät III Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Geowissenschaften und Informatik (2023) 98 pp.
Yi J, Kradolfer D, Brownfield L, Ma Y, Piskorz E, Köhler C, Jiang H:
H3K9 demethylation is required for reproduction in Arabidopsis. (PhD Thesis, kumulativ) Halle/S., Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät III Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Geowissenschaften und Informatik (2022) 111 pp.
Cheng J, Xu L, Bergér V, Bruckmann A, Yang C, Schubert V, Grasser K D, Schnittger A, Zheng B, Jiang H:
Cheng J, Zhang G, Xu L, Liu C, Jiang H:
Elucidating mechanisms of unreduced gamete formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. (PhD Thesis, kumulativ) Halle/S., Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät III Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Geowissenschaften und Informatik (2022) 95 pp.
Zhong Z, Wang Y, Wang M, Yang F, Thomas Q A, Xue Y, Zhang Y, Liu W, Jami-Alahmadi Y, Xu L, Feng S, Marquardt S, Wohlschlegel J A, Ausin I, Jacobsen S E:
Functional analysis of H3K9 demethylases in Arabidopsis. (Master Thesis) Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (2021) 43 pp.
Kuhlmann M, Jiang H, Catoni M, Johannes F:
Kuhlmann M, Jiang H, Catoni M, Johannes F (Eds.):
Front. Plant Sci., Frontiers Research Topic “DNA Methylation in Plants Associated with Abiotic Stress." Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA (2021)
Wang Y, Zhong Z, Zhang Y, Xu L, Feng S, Rayatpisheh S, Wohlschlegel J A, Wang Z, Jacobsen S E, Ausin I:
ldentifying the role of AHL22-complex in organ size regulation in Arabidopsis. (Master Thesis) Kiel, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (2020) 39 pp.
Flowering time variation in autopolyploid Arabidopsis thaliana. (Master Thesis) Göttingen, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Fakultät für Agrarwissenschaften (2019) 60 pp.
Wang G, Jiang H, Del Toro de León G, Martinez G, Köhler C: