Phytohormone Transport research group

We study members of the NPF family, which has emerged as a long sought family of transporters for plant specialized metabolites. In vitro, we express transporters in the Xenopus oocyte model system and combine electrophysiology with highly sensitive LCMS based transport assays to determine substrate specificities, kinetics, mechanism and stoichiometry. The knowledge gained guides phenotypical analyses and localization studies in vivo to determine physiological roles of new NPF transporters. Through our research, we aim to increase our understanding of transport processes involved in phytohormone signaling pathways, which enable plants to perceive, integrate and respond to external stimuli, such as changes in water availability or herbivore attacks. Moreover, we want to understand how plants dynamically control allocation of defense compounds to defend tissues with highest fitness value.

We discover and study transporters to improve biological processes

We characterize transporters in the Xenopus oocyte model system and combine electrophysiology with LCMS transport assays to determine substrate specificities, kinetics, mechanism and stoichiometry. The knowledge gained, guides phenotypical analyses and localization studies in vivo to determine physiological roles and discover exciting applications.

Research projects