Sympore & Plasmodesmata
Plasmodesmata are cell-cell bridges – or symplasmic pores – unique to plants.
They allow for nutrient transport and communication between cells. The major focus of our research is to unravel plasmodesmata composition and development, and to understand their function as cell-cell bridges for communication, nutrient transport and viral spread within plants. Despite their importance in all aspects of the plant life cycle, plasmodesmata proved extremely challenging to study at nearly all levels.
ERC Synergy Team
In the Sympore Synergy Team we integrate the interdisciplinary and complementary expertise from researchers in the fields of biophysics and cryo-electron tomography, advanced imaging and developmental signaling, high-end proteomics and lipidomics as well as interactomics, novel transport assays and cutting-edge biosensor technology.
4 Research Areas
With joint efforts and skills, we are addressing four research areas:
- Systematic quantitative identification of plasmodesmata components
- Localization and dynamics of plasmodesmata components
- Structures and molecular building blocks of diverse plasmodesmatal types
- Transport and signaling mechanisms of plasmodesmata
We expect breakthrough discoveries and a completely new understanding of plasmodesmatal function and evolution. Since plasmodesmata play key roles in nutrient allocation and virus spread, we lay the basis for novel biotech solutions in agriculture.
