Research topic
Techniques

Forschung / Science

Arbeitsgebiet   Research topic
Unsere Ziele bestehen darin, die Mechanismen der Perzeption, Verarbeitung und Umsetzung von Lichtsignalen bei Pflanzen besser zu verstehen. Dabei stehen das Phytochromsystem und die durch diese Photorezeptoren regulierten pflanzlichen Entwicklungsprozesse im Zentrum des Interesses. Durch analytische Ansätze soll die molekularer Umsetzung der Lichtsignalleitung sowohl auf zellulärer und subzellulärer Ebene als auch im Bezug auf Wechselwirkungen zwischen Zellen, Geweben und Organen untersucht werden. Our major goal is to understand the mechanisms of perception and integration of light signals and the realisation of respective responses in plants. To do so we focus on the phytochrome photoreceptor system and developmental processes regulated by these photoverversible chromoproteins. Analytical approaches to unravel the light signal transduction chain are mainly directed on cellular and sub-cellular events like dynamic localisation and interaction patterns of signalling molecules but also on interactions between cells and tissues.
Techniques  
We combine physiological analysis with molecular biology techniques and are equipped with various facilities for specific and automated light environments. Besides biochemical and genetic approaches we employ state-of-the-art imaging techniques to follow abundance, localisation patterns, and interactions of light signaling components in vivo. In colaboration with ZBSA (data analysis) and LMB (pattern recognition) we develop mathematical models to proceed in understanding the mechanisms of light signalling in plants.
Microscopy - epifluorescence, confocal, bleaching techniques (FRAP, FLIM), protein interactions (BiFC)
In vivo co-localisation: A: photoreceptor; B: transcription factor; C: overlay
Luciferase-Imaging - promotor activities, protein abundance, timeseries, localisation
In vivo photoreceptor abundance in adult plants