Chris Koll ffel, Ad Borstlap and Piet Wolswinkel Assimilate transport from source to sink Plants possess long-distance transport systems and specific transporters that enable transport of water, assimilates and nutrients across membranes. We are investigating the mechanisms and the regulation of the transport of water and assimilate in plants. We use in vivo and in vitro measurements to elucidate changes in the transport of assimilate in relation to plant function.
Research is focused on developing fruits and seeds.
In these systems transporters are characterised that control the release of nutrients from the seed coat of legumes and their subsequent uptake by the developing embryo. The role of MIP-like proteins in membrane transport processes in plants is being studied. Phloem transport to growing parts of a plant is regulated by internal factors such as cell turgor, stage of development and vascular connections and environmental conditions such as water status and light intensity. The effect of these internal and external factors on phloem and xylem transport is being investigated. Differences in release of endogenous sugars and amino acids from attached and detached seed coats of developing pea seeds.