Currently, 24 group leaders are members of our IMPRS faculty. IMPRS MolPlant doctoral researchers pursue their PhD in the groups of these scientists. They are affiliated with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP), the Institute of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Potsdam (UP), the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPI-KGF), or the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ).
To find out more about our faculty members and their groups, please click on their names. The link will lead you to their websites where you can learn more about their research, find publications etc.
In the IMPRS application call, the application form asks you to name faculty members in whose groups you would like to do a PhD project. Please note that not all faculty members may be available for supervising doctoral researchers and their PhD projects in a given year.
Outside IMPRS application calls you may contact faculty members about the possibility to do a PhD under their supervision. If faculty members are not available for supervision, it is noted below.
Brief research profiles and short descriptions of possible PhD projects in these groups are given below. Click on a faculty member’s name to get to their profile with a link to their website. Note that it is not required to contact faculty members before you submit an IMPRS application.
Information on the application procedure, required documents and the link to the online application portal [during application periods] is at IMPRS Application Call.
Plant Stress and Epigenetics Plants can "remember" past exposure to stress, such that development or tolerance to recurring stress is modified. Using genetic, molecular and other tools, we study the long-term adaptation of plants to abiotic stress and the roles of epigenetic and chromatin regulation in this process.
Organelle Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Ecophysiology We study the biology of chloroplasts and mitochondria in seed plants, the expression of their genomes, their biogenesis and their communication with the nucleus. We develop transgenic technologies to engineer organellar genomes and facilitate new applications in biotechnology and synthetic biology. In addition, we have research programs in experimental evolution (reconstructing endosymbiotic gene transfer and horizontal gene transfer) and systems biology in the green algal model Chlamydomonas and the red algal model Porphyridium.
IMPRS application call 2026:Projects Possible PhD projects in Ralph Bock’s group can be from any of the major research areas currently pursued in the group, including: (a) Biology of chloroplasts and mitochondria, (b) Biotechnology and synthetic biology, (c) Experimental evolution, and (d) Algal biology.
Viral Replication and Plant Tolerance During viral infection of plant cells, viruses establish their very own subcellular niche: the viral replication complex. At the same time, plants have mechanisms to protect their cells and cellular organelles from excessive harm. Our group’s interest lies in understanding the subcellular accommodation of viral replication: how plant RNA-viruses can shape the host plant endomembrane for their viral genome replication. We are also interested in how plants sense, react and build tolerance to this particular perturbation by suppressing the plant immune system. We work with A. thaliana, N. benthamiana and M. polymorpha, and we use IP-MS and proximity labeling approaches to identify factors involved in plant-virus interactions. We also develop proteomics-based tools to facilitate discovery of viral host factors in understudied plant-virus systems.
IMPRS application call 2026: Projects Possible projects in Marion Clavel’s group address: (a) Autophagy controls plant cell death execution: deciphering the rules of engagement of two novel selective autophagy receptors as well as the mode of interaction to their cognate target. (b) Autophagy in plant-virus interactions - Analysis of post-translational modifications of a model autophagy cargo and their impact on cargo degradation. Characterization of candidate cargos in plant-virus interactions. (c) Development of a proximity labelling toolkit for rapid Viral Replication Complex profiling - We aim to discover the host and viral factors that are present in replication-supporting vesicles, called Viral Replication Complexes (VRCs). For this, we develop innovative strategies to detect and profile proteins that are part of VRCs across multiple plant species, using proximity labelling.
Central Metabolism Central (energy) metabolism and its coordination. Integration of primary metabolism with intermediary and secondary metabolism. Genetics of metabolic regulation.
Seed Development and Apomixis Our group studies the genetic and epigenetic regulation of seed development in flowering plants. In particular we are focused on the development of the endosperm, which acts as nourishment for the developing embryo, and of the seed coat, which surrounds and protects the embryo and the endosperm. Additionally, we are interested in how different tissues in the seed communicate with each other. Finally, we have a strong focus on understanding apomixis, which is the formation of seeds without fertilization.
Receptor Structures at the Plant-Microbe Interface We study the molecular mechanisms in plant-microbe interactions with a comparative approach between different forms of symbiosis and pathogenesis. By integrating protein biochemistry, structural biology (cryo-EM SPA) and plant genetics, we aim to find novel mechanisms in microbe perception and signalling. By identifying principles of molecular evolution at the plant-microbe interface, we translate these fundamental insights into structure-guided receptor engineering and the development of new alleles for crop improvement through gene-editing.
Establishment of Plant Cell and Tissue Polarity We investigate how cell and tissue polarity is established in epidermal cells of Arabidopsis thaliana roots. We look at, for example, root hair positioning (planar polarity) and establishment of outer lateral membrane polarity. To understand how one end of the cell becomes different from another one at the molecular level and how this may be coordinated within the tissue context, we combine a variety of genetic, molecular and cell biology methods, including state-of-the-art microscopy.
Root Biology and Mycorrhiza We investigate the interaction of plants with beneficial, nutrient-delivering arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi. Our aim is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the colonization of plant roots by arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi and the formation of an arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM). We investigate molecular interconnections between the plant’s physiology and development and the establishment of AM symbiosis, including the role of plant hormone signaling pathways. Furthermore, we are interested in the role of hormone pathways and cytoskeletal elements in regulating root hair development. In our research, we use state of the art genetic, molecular, cell biological and biochemical methods.
IMPRS application call 2026: Projects Possible PhD projects in Caroline Gutjahr’s group address: (a) Regulation of arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis by nutrient signalling; (b) Plant-fungal communication.
Plant Germline Antiviral Immunity During viral infection in plants some very important cells, such as meristematic stem cells and gametes, often remain virus-free. This immunity, which can block transmission of infection from parent to progeny, suggests the existence of potent yet unknown antiviral barriers active in these cells that are key to development and reproduction. We aim to understand how plants prevent many viruses from infecting their stem cells and germline, thereby blocking transgenerational transmission of disease.
Plant Reproduction and Stress Resilience Our group investigates the regulation of plant reproduction and germline development under normal conditions and environment (abiotic) stress. Our focus lies on the male germline, i.e., the formation of pollen grains. We combine genetics, molecular biology and cell biology. Our ultimate aim is to enhance reproductive resilience of crops and utilize environment sensitivity to improve crop breeding strategies.
Epigenetics, Plant Reproduction and Speciation Our lab studies genetic and epigenetic mechanisms governing seed development and plant speciation. Our focus is on the seed endosperm, a major sink for photosynthetically fixed carbon in plants. We study the endosperm's role in supporting embryo growth and in establishing hybridization barriers, ultimately leading to speciation. Furthermore, we study the biogenesis and function of transposable element-derived small RNAs during reproduction, and the role of transposable elements in generating transcriptional networks. We work with Arabidopsis, Capsella, tomato, maize, waterlily and other species.
IMPRS application call 2026: Projects Possible PhD projects in Claudia Köhler’s group address: (a) Small RNA biogenesis and function during plant reproduction; (b) Establishment and potential of epimutations for plant breeding.
Applied Metabolome Analysis We explore technological and applied aspects of metabolome and fluxome analysis with a focus on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based technologies. Our biological questions range from stress physiology and biotechnology of plants and photosynthetic microorganisms, such as algae and cyanobacteria, to cytosolic plant ribosome biogenesis, heterogeneity and specialization. Our interest in plant ribosome biogenesis is curiosity-driven research that was sparked by the discovery of cold sensitive Arabidopsis ribosome biogenesis mutants.
Intercellular Macromolecular Transport We study the mechanisms and regulation of (1) cell-to-cell transport of proteins and RNA molecules in plants via plasmodesmata and (2) long-distance transport of RNA molecules via the phloem. We use biochemical approaches combined with genomic techniques to understand these transport processes and to functionally characterize candidate molecules.
Control of Plant Organ Size Identifying the molecular and genetic mechanisms that determine the sizes of leaves and flowers; understanding how these mechanisms have changed during evolution to alter plant organ size.
Plant Signalling Coordination of plant responses to environmental stress through various signalling mechanisms involving transcriptional regulatory networks. Systems-oriented approaches for the analysis of leaf growth.
Algal Cell Biology and Biophysics We aim to understand how algal cells work at the molecular level. Making use of the motile model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we use biochemical methods, precision genome engineering, advanced optical and electron microscopy as well as custom-built instrumentation to study the cellular organization and mechanisms underlying algal motility and interactions with the environment.
Computational Biology We are interested in understanding the principles of operation of large-scale metabolic networks from uni- and multi-cellular organisms and their integration with protein-protein interaction and gene regulatory networks. Computational approaches developed in the group combine machine / deep learning with integration of heterogenous big data to predict complex traits from molecular readouts.
Soft Matter Electron Microscopy Our group investigates the ultrastructure and structure-property relationships of soft and biological materials, with a focus on cellulose microfibrils and plant secondary cell walls. We utilize advanced electron microscopy techniques to reveal the nanoscale and molecular details of these materials, which is relevant to plant morphogenesis and sustainable material engineering.
Plant Morphodynamics Our lab studies how plants attain their specific shapes and modify their growth patterns in response to environmental and chemical signals. We focus on the importance of cell wall and cytoskeleton in such processes, an area of both fundamental and practical importance. We employ advanced microscopy, genetics, transcriptional regulation and computational approaches to identify and unravel the cellular machinery involved in morphogenesis.
Cell Biology of Water Transport We are interested in how plants build their water-conducting vasculature - the so-called xylem. We use high-resolution microscopy and novel genetic systems to observe the formation of xylem cell walls in real time, and employ state-of-the-art image analysis, in-vitro reconstitution assays and computer simulations to uncover the cellular and molecular principles that govern the formation of this critical cell type.
Structural Colour in Plants Colour in nature serves a wide range of purposes. In plants, it plays a role in optimising light absorption for photosynthesis, providing photoprotection, or communicating with animals-either to attract or repel them. The function of colour, as well as the method by which it is produced, can differ not only between species but also within various parts of the same plant. Colour can be generated via different mechanisms: (a) molecules (pigments) in a material absorb specific wavelengths of light, or (b) nanoscale physical structures of the material manipulate light and determine how it is reflected. The latter is called structural colour, producing iridescent and vivid colouration. In the Sustainable and Bio-inspired Materials department at MPI-KG, we study the occurrence of structural colouration in a variety of plants and algae with an interdisciplinary approach combining chemistry, biology, and biophysics. Advanced microscopy techniques, ranging from light to electron microscopy, are key tools for analyzing the unique structures underlying structural colouration.
Bioinformatics Application and development of bioinformatics methods to discern biologically relevant relationships between molecules from complex OMICS data sets with a focus on computational genomics (comparative genomics, gene expression regulation etc.) and structural bioinformatics (sequence-structure-function relationships, post-translational modifications, interaction networks, compound-protein interactions).
IMPRS application call 2026:Projects Possible PhD projects in Dirk Walther’s group can address any of the research areas currently pursued in the group.
Temperature Sensing in Plants We focus on how plants sense and integrate temperature signals into their development. We are interested in understanding the mechanisms of temperature perception (thermosensors), as well as how downstream signalling pathways and transcriptional regulatory networks control cellular responses. Our projects involve protein biochemistry, genetics, transcriptional regulation, epigenetics and bioinformatics. Our aim is to make fundamental advances in plant science that contribute to the breeding of plants resilient to climate change. We study Arabidopsis, tomato, rice, and other horticulturally relevant plants.
Translational Regulation in Plants Our lab has a research focus on translational regulation in plants. We are fascinated by translation as the interface between RNA and protein metabolism. Our research projects aim at an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of translational regulation in response to internal and external triggers. We use molecular biology, biochemical and genetic approaches to analyse translational regulation, identify the regulatory cis-elements and trans-factors involved, and unravel their molecular mode of action.
