At the Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (Biology 3), we take a multidisciplinary approach to understanding how plants endure and overcome stress. Our goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural practices by exploring cellular processes at the molecular level, aligning with the overarching mission of RWTH Aachen University to "Meeting Global Challenges."
We investigate how plants perceive environmental cues and rapidly adjust to stress, focusing on the mechanisms that enable efficient acclimation to biotic and abiotic stresses. These responses occur at multiple levels, with coordinated proteolysis playing a pivotal role in reshaping the proteome and maintaining protein homeostasis (proteostasis) during cellular stress. Central to these processes is ubiquitin, a conserved signalling molecule that is post-translationally attached to specific target proteins. These processes play a central role during plant infection with different pathogens as they allow the effective deployment of defences and are capable of buffering cellular injury caused by pathogens. As complementary goal we are investigating the cross-talk of plants, pathogens and environment to ultimately contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security.
Our primary scientific goals are to elucidate the mechanisms underlying substrate ubiquitination and the regulation of immune responses in general. Ultimately, we aim to develop strategies to develop resistant crops using a variety of approaches such as for targeted protein degradation (TPD).
Our primary mission is to empower students and early-career researchers through curiosity-driven, inquiry-based learning experiences in plant biology. We aim to equip them with expertise in molecular plant physiology, biochemistry, and computational systems biology, enabling them to delve into the intricate workings of plants. In this context, we also focus on the practical training of our students in the field of phytomedicine and agricultural practice.
We believe that understanding the fundamental mechanisms by which plants survive challenging environments will lay the groundwork for developing innovative solutions to support sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.
We will leverage our expertise in molecular stress physiology, plant phytopathology, and plant biochemistry in close collaboration with other participants at the Bioeconomy Science Center to effectively address the future bioeconomic challenges related to plants. Our work will particularly contribute to the research focus on "Sustainable Plant Bioproduction and Resource Protection," aiming to harness and optimize the innate potential of plants to acclimate to abiotic stress conditions or defend themselves against pathogens. In doing so, we will help ensure the long-term plant-based production of food, feed, fibre and energy by generating resistant crops, able to endure suboptimal environmental conditions maintaining high yield levels.
About BioSC
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BioSC-Geschäftsstelle
c/o Forschungszentrum Jülich
52425 Jülich
biosc@fz-juelich.de
