spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Ingo Heilmann, coordinator: Dr. Julia Grimmer (funding 2019-2028)

The chosen scientific focus centers on the dynamics and communication of plant cell compartments, such as plastids and nuclei, which are key factors defining the properties of plant cells. The unifying research hypothesis of this RTG is that the control of key physiological processes during plant development or environmental adaptation involves the coordinated action of organelles. So far, studies of plant cell compartments have mostly focused on a single type of organelle, leading to a wealth of information regarding its structure, function, and biogenesis.

spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Andrea Sinz, coordinators: Janett Köppen, Claudia Spielmann (funding 2019-2028)

Approximately 40% of amino acid sequences in higher eukaryotes are predicted to be intrinsically disordered (intrinsically disordered proteins, IDPs and intrinsically disordered regions, IDRs) lacking defined structural elements. Many of these flexible proteins and protein regions remain understudied. This is despite their importance in regulating fundamental biological processes and in the generation of dynamic architectural  superstructures, including, e.g., membrane-less organelles.

IDPs/IDRs are investigated by an interdisciplinary group of research  scientists composed of biochemists, biophysicists, and cell biologists. Their complementary scientific backgrounds will enable studies ranging from the in vitro characterization of IDPs/IDRs to their investigation within cells. A major focus will be the study of IDP/IDR  interactions with proteins as well as RNA. All RTG projects address key questions on the molecular processes that govern how a single IDP/IDR might adopt multiple conformations upon  protein- or RNA-binding. [read more]

spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Steffen Abel (IPB), coordinator: Dr. Antje Hellmuth

All academic departments and independent research groups at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) regularly offer opportunities for pursuing exciting dissertation research toward a doctoral degree on ambitious and modern topics of plant-related biochemistry and natural products chemistry. The excellent research infrastructure at the IPB, its state-of-the-art technology platforms, and its vibrant academic environment provide outstanding conditions to ensure successful graduation. More than 50 doctoral candidates at the IPB benefit from competent mentoring and a two-tiered structured doctoral training program, which well prepares the candidates for future leading positions in academia, industry, or the public sector. [read more]

Partners:

• Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Robert Paxton, coordinator: Dr. Nicole Sachmerda-Schulz (funding 2012-2024)

Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life – not only species diversity but also genetic diversity, diversity of functions, interactions and ecosystems. Human actions dramatically change this diversity: species become extinct, genetic information and entire ecosystems are lost. At the same time, we know little about the extent of these changes, the underlying processes and consequences for humanity.

As part of iDiv, the graduate school offers great opportunities of courses and networking. yDiv doctoral researchers accumulate valuable skills in assimi- lating knowledge and techniques from various disciplines, method courses and a wide range of transferable skills training.

Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Helge Bruelheide, coordinator: Dr. Stefan Trogisch
funding since 2018 by DFG and UCAS

Biodiversity-Ecosystem-Functioning (BEF) research in forests has become a vibrant field of research in the last decade. The aim of TreeDì – 林地 (lín dì, forest land) is to understand how tree-tree interactions in local neighbourhoods of varying diversity translate into the observed positive tree species richness effects on key ecosystem functions at the community scale. Tree-tree interactions range from above- and belowground competition to resource use complementarity and facilitation. In-depth knowledge of each interaction type and interdisciplinary teamwork are essential to understand the underlying processes. All research projects are carried out on the BEF-China platform in subtropical China  – the largest forest BEF experiment worldwide. [read more]

“TreeDì – 林地 – TreeDiversity Interactions: The role of tree-tree interactions in local neighbourhoods in Chinese subtropical forests” is an International Research Training Group funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS).

Partners:

• Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Universität Leipzig
• Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing
• Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig