Prof. Dr. Julia Kehr

Group "Micro- and Protein-Analysis"
New position: Head of Research Unit - Molecular Plant Genetics - Institute of Plant Science and Microbiology - University of Hamburg

The group is interested in characterizing the long-distance transport systems of higher land plants with special focus on the soluble proteins being transported.

Although it has been recognized that proteins are present in these transport systems and potentially fulfill important functions necessary for overall plant performance, the nature and function of most of these molecules remains unknown. Our major aim is thus to identify and functionally characterize new proteins that are essential for plant communication and defense processes.

To unravel the sites of their production and release, as well as the mechanisms of loading and transport, the analysis not only of the transporting channels themselves but also of specific cell-types from vascular bundles and other plant tissues is required. To achieve this, tools for high spatial resolution analysis in plants had to be established.

Our current model organisms include pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), and oilseed rape (Brassica napus).

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