The largest group in the Laboratory studies the assembly and function of the photosynthetic apparatus as well as the regulation of genes involved in photosynthesis. The most recent research projects in this area are related to the molecular signalling within chloroplasts and between the chloroplasts and the nucleus. Particular interest is focused on the regulation of photosynthesis genes and thylakoid protein phosphorylation by redox signals in chloroplasts. The group uses both plants and cyanobacteria as model organisms and combines molecular biology with expertise in plant physiology and biochemistry. The plant biophysics group builds models on the function of the photosynthetic light reactions, on the photoinduced damage of chloroplast components, and on the photoprotective mechanisms.
Chlorophyll fluorescence is an important tool in the research.
The plant biophysics group has found that chlorophyll fluorescence can even be used to identify plant species automatically. In the future, a computer carried by a precision farming tractor will use chlorophyll fluorescence to guide herbicides to weeds only, allowing for a radical reduction in the amounts of potentially harmful agrochemicals. The plant virus research group studies the molecular properties of some plant viruses, and molecular interactions between viruses and their host plants. At present, the group is working to resolve the genomic sequence, and the gene functions of the black currant reversion Nepovirus. Also, the group works to determine the molecular alterations caused by tobacco mosaic virus in the infected host plant.