Center for Plant Molecular Biology
Molecular plant biology has long been a prominent research focus at the University of Tübingen. The Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP) was established as a basic research institution in 1999. Its mission is to reveal molecular mechanisms that ensure the survival of plants as complex multicellular organisms. The ZMBP builds on expertise in genetics, cell and developmental biology, biochemistry, plant physiology, cellular nanoscience, and microbiome research. Areas of research focus on molecular mechanisms underlying plant development, plant-microbe interactions, as well as the plant’s response and adaption to changing environmental conditions.
Independent research groups are the distinguishing feature of the ZMBP. These offer junior scientists excellent career opportunities via early independence. The research groups are supported by core facilities that develop and improve new methods in imaging, biochemistry, analytics, single cell approaches, transformation, and cultivation. The ZMBP is the leading partner of the CRC 1101 consortium addressing "Molecular encoding of specificity in plant processes". The ZMBP groups collaborate closely with the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen, the Universities of Heidelberg and Hohenheim, and interact with many research groups around the globe.
ZMBP - Research Groups
Martin Bayer | Cell Polarity and Reproductive Development |
Farid El Kasmi | NLR Biology and the relationship of Immunity and Trafficking |
Julien Gronnier | Spatial and temporal regulation of cell-surface signaling, from the nanoscale to the organism |
Klaus Harter | Plant signal perception, transduction and integration |
Gerd Jürgens | |
Eric Kemen | Microbial Interactions in Plant Ecosystems |
Thomas Lahaye | Analysis and application of TAL effectors |
Rosa Lozano-Duran | Molecular plant-(gemini)virus interactions |
Isabel Monte | Evolution of Plant Signaling in Immunity and Development |
Gabriella Mosca | Biomechanical Modeling of Morphogenesis |
Thorsten Nürnberger | Plant Innate Immunity |
Claudia Oecking | Function of plant 14-3-3 proteins |
Laura Ragni | Periderm Development and Wood Formation |
Erik Schäffer | Cellular Nanoscience |
Marja Timmermans | Pattern Formation and Cell Differentiation During Organogenesis |
Sebastian Wolf | Plant cell wall signalling |
Ulrike Zentgraf | Leaf senescence of annual plants |