CELL WALL CHARGE RESEARCH TEAM
Instititute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg. Centre for Integrative Signalling Studies (CIBSS)
PASSIONATE ABOUT PLANTS
ABOUT US
The first point of contact between a plant and its growth environment is the cell wall, a sturdy extracellular structure surrounding each plant cell that provides essential support and protection against mechanical and osmotic stress. With a significant negative charge, plant cell walls present numerous binding sites for positively charged molecules. This charge is dynamically regulated by developmental and environmental factors, suggesting that plants strategically adjust their cell wall charge to interact with their surroundings.
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The Cell Wall Charge Research Group, based at the University of Freiburg in Germany, investigates the reciprocal interaction between cell wall charge and the plant's environment.
Team
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Our Projects
We investigate the role of the cell wall charge in...
01
...iron acquisition
This project investigates how the negative root cell wall charge contributes to iron acquisition from the environment.
By understanding these molecular mechanisms, we aim to reveal strategies to enhance nutrient efficiency in crops, promoting sustainable agriculture.
02
...adaptive growth
Here, we aim to identify cell wall-modifying genes that adjust cell wall charge in response to nutrient availability. Fine tuned cell wall charge alterations can potentially improve plant resilience in nutrient-poor conditions.
03
... RALF peptide hormone signaling
The peptide hormone RALF relies on binding to the negatively charged cell wall to carry out its signaling function (Rössling et al., 2024). In this project, we are investigating how cation homeostasis and pH levels in the root extracellular matrix influence the signaling output of the RALF/FERONIA pathway.
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