Our research aims to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of plant metabolic systems and their interactions. The group uses computational approaches that are centered around the analysis of large-scale metabolic networks and works closely with experimental labs. Key topics include developing flux-balance methods to study plant metabolism at the cell type-, tissue- and whole-plant level as well as plant-environment interactions. We have also started to develop multi-scale models to better account for genetic, physical, and environmental influences on plant metabolism. On the technical side, we are developing open-source software packages for coherent and reproducible metabolic network curation. The gained knowledge will guide metabolic engineering strategies for improved crop plant productivity and quality.
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We are part of the Excellence Cluster on Plant Sciences – CEPLAS and embedded in Research Area 4, the CRC 1644: Plant phenotypic plasticity, the initiative Immunometabolism in Health and Disease (iHead), the Center for Data and Simulation Science, and the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS). We are also associated with the TRR 341.