Prof. Georg Groth | HHU Düsseldorf | Plant Physiology

Research topics and profile (related to bioeconomy)

The research in my laboratory focuses on structural and functional characterization of membrane proteins from higher plants and thermophilic organism (e.g. Bacillus thermophilus, thermophilic cyanobacteria). Research projects in the laboratory include:

• The chloroplast proton translocating ATP synthase, a central enzyme of energy metabolism, also known as the smallest molecular motor,
• Receptors and Receptor-Complexes involved in sensing and signalling of the plant hormone ethylene which is a key regulator for plant growth, development and stress adaptation, PEP carboxylases of C3- and C4-plants.

The C4 form of PEP carboxylase shares substantial sequence identity with the PEP carboxylases of C3 plants which are thought to be the ancestor of the C4 isoform, but has distinct kinetic and regulatory properties compared to the C3-type enzyme. In our research project we are aiming to resolve the structural evolution that took place when the C4 isoform evolved from the C3 ancestor in order to explain the kinetic and regulatory differences in the C3 and C4-isoforms.

Contributions to BioSC

The research of our Institute in the context of BioSC is geared to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability of crops and addresses the following research topics:

• Optimisation of Photosynthesis (Structural Evolution of C4 Photosynthesis, Protein Design)
• Increasing Resource Use Efficiency (ATP synthase)
• Salt Stress tolerance, post-harvest losses (Ethylene)
• Reduction of biomass loss due to biotic and abiotic stress

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