ABBt – Molecular Botany | RWTH Aachen

Prof. Dr. Tony Heitkam

Dr. Alexandra Wormit

Research topics and profile (related to bioeconomy)

Climate change has far-reaching effects on the environment, especially on plants and their yields. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and more frequent extreme weather events have a significant impact on plant growth and health. A key step towards climate resilient agriculture and a secure food, raw material and energy supply (via plant products) is a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of abiotic stress resistance and the identification of mechanisms that enable crops to adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions.

• Investigation of (epi)genome changes during and after abiotic stress
• Development of molecular markers for plant breeding
• Research into the (epi)genetic and chromosomal contribution towards development of site-adapted plants
• Investigation of the stress response of plants in relation to adaptations in cell wall composition and how this can improve the resistance of plants to abiotic stress (group Wormit)
• Investigation of the potential of secondary metabolism, which plays an important role as a protective mechanism against changing environmental conditions (group Wormit)

Contributions to BioSC

To the BioSc, we contribute our expertise in various analytical methods for investigating plant properties and stress resistance (cell wall analysis, secondary metabolism). As part of the activities listed above, contributions are made to the BioSC research focus “Smart management of plant production”.

• Analysis of the important economic resource of the plant cell wall
• Analysis of the secondary metabolism of plants

Furthermore, we have expertise in the analysis of plant genomes (DNA and RNA sequencing and evaluation, chromosomal localization, molecular markers, variety identification, informing breeding processes), which enables plant populations to be screened and evaluated according to various criteria.