Project Details
Projekt
GRK 1305: Signal Systems in Plant Model Organisms
Subject Area
Plant Sciences
Term
from 2006 to 2010
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 12447637
Decoding the molecular mechanisms that control plant development is a central task of modern plant research and a pre-condition for the efficient application of biotechnology in the future. In this Research Training Group, scientists carrying out basic research in the faculties of biology, forest and environmental sciences, mathematics and physics of the Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, and other groups in Hungary, Holland, South Africa and the USA have joined forces. This network examines, from different perspectives, the effect of signals on the physiology and organogenesis of selected model systems.
A focus of this common research programme is the establishment of an innovative, systems-oriented training plan for the next generation of scientists. The research programme is to emphasise the elucidation of signal mechanisms and control networks; it focusses on:
(1) the roles of light and other signals in plant development,
(2) genomic, metabolic, physiological and evolutionary contexts of the molecules involved in specific signalling pathways, and
(3) systems-biology-orientated modelling of different signalling pathways.
The spectrum of methods includes molecular biology and genetics and covers a wide range of relevant modern techniques including high-resolution microscopy, functional genomics, metabolomics, gene expression analysis and protein biochemistry, in addition to methods in bioinformatics, and biosystems-analysis. As model organisms for investigation are used Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), Oryza sativa (rice), Populus (poplar), the moss Physcomitrella patens and cyanobacteria.
The study programme offers a wide-ranging training agenda and specialised support to ensure rapid integration of network members into the international community and promote their independence. A Thesis Advisory Committee advises participating students throughout their education. This is in addition to the availability of methods-oriented workshops, and lecture series in biology, mathematics and systems biology. Academic exchange between students is nurtured by a joint postgraduate seminar programme, and by the establishment of a visiting researcher programme, colloquia and retreats. Furthermore, both attendance of international meetings and local travel and scientific exchange with other labs will promote the proper design and planning of students' projects. The aim of this programme is the rapid incorporation of postgraduate students into the scientific community, and to assist their eventual scientific independence.
A focus of this common research programme is the establishment of an innovative, systems-oriented training plan for the next generation of scientists. The research programme is to emphasise the elucidation of signal mechanisms and control networks; it focusses on:
(1) the roles of light and other signals in plant development,
(2) genomic, metabolic, physiological and evolutionary contexts of the molecules involved in specific signalling pathways, and
(3) systems-biology-orientated modelling of different signalling pathways.
The spectrum of methods includes molecular biology and genetics and covers a wide range of relevant modern techniques including high-resolution microscopy, functional genomics, metabolomics, gene expression analysis and protein biochemistry, in addition to methods in bioinformatics, and biosystems-analysis. As model organisms for investigation are used Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress), Oryza sativa (rice), Populus (poplar), the moss Physcomitrella patens and cyanobacteria.
The study programme offers a wide-ranging training agenda and specialised support to ensure rapid integration of network members into the international community and promote their independence. A Thesis Advisory Committee advises participating students throughout their education. This is in addition to the availability of methods-oriented workshops, and lecture series in biology, mathematics and systems biology. Academic exchange between students is nurtured by a joint postgraduate seminar programme, and by the establishment of a visiting researcher programme, colloquia and retreats. Furthermore, both attendance of international meetings and local travel and scientific exchange with other labs will promote the proper design and planning of students' projects. The aim of this programme is the rapid incorporation of postgraduate students into the scientific community, and to assist their eventual scientific independence.
DFG Programme
Research Training Groups
Applicant Institution
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Spokesperson
Professor Dr. Klaus Palme
Participating Researchers
Professor Dr. Salim Al-Babili; Professor Dr. Wolfgang R. Hess; Dr. Stefan Kircher; Professor Dr. Thomas Laux; Professor Dr. Michael Lenhard; Professor Dr. Gunther Neuhaus (†); Privatdozent Dr. Ivan A. Paponov; Professor Dr. Heinz Rennenberg; Professor Dr. Ralf Reski; Professor Dr. Eberhard Schäfer; Professor Dr. Jens Timmer; Professor Dr. Roman Ulm
