The group studies the molecular mechanisms involved in plant tolerance to environmental parameters. Special focus is given to the regulation of the chloroplast antioxidant system, which protects plants against photooxidative damage. Presently, we work on four main projects:

Analysis of cis-regulatory elements, transcription factor functions and signal transduction elements in plant protection against photooxidative stress

During evolution of plants, plant acclimation responses have diversified and specified. We investigate stress regulated transcription factors, cis-regulatory elements and signal transduction elements using enhancer trapping, reporter gene approaches and reverse and forward genetic methods.

The function of the chloroplast antioxidant system in priming

Stress sensitivity and responsiveness are dynamic processes. The experience of even a single stress event can modify the response to future stress events. The process is cold "priming". We demonstrated that a 24 h cold stimulus modifies the response to abiotic stresses and pathogens still  5 days after the priming stress event, without modifying the regulation of genes responding to the canonical cold signalling pathway. The chloroplast antioxidant system, especially chloroplast ascorbate peroxidases, are key components of the stress memory.

Natural variation and inter-specific comparison of intracellular signalling mechanisms

During plant evolution and species diversification, the signalling mechanisms of the heterotrophic and phototrophic compartments were challenged by functional gene translocation and adaptation. Comparison of today´s plants demonstrate species- and ecotype-specific modifications of the chloroplast-to-nucleus signalling and regulation mechanisms. In a series of distinct sub-projects, different evolutionary traits are compared and signalling pathways studied.

Decoding the dynamics of photoprotection proteins in green algae: Activation, function, and regulation

Over time, photoprotection mechanisms in green algae have adapted to fluctuating light conditions. Photoprotective proteins interact dynamically with photosynthetic complexes to regulate energy dissipation and maintain redox balance. We investigate the activation, function, and regulation of key photoprotection proteins, with a focus on PSBS and its role in acclimation to high light.