International Network of Plant Abiotic Stress

Company
University of Stuttgart

Address
Institute of Biology, Dept. of Botany
Pfaffenwalring 57
D-70569 Stuttgart

Telephone
+49 711 68565050

E-mail
arnd.heyer@bio.uni-stuttgart.de

1. Summary of work to be allocated into a specific WG

This Partner is using plant physiology, molecular biology and systems biology approaches to study the function of compatible solutes (sugars, polyamines) in cold tolerance mainly in Arabidopsis. The work is mostly integrated into WG3.

2. Links with other WG and/or Subgroups

The work is also linked with WG4.2 and WG4.3 in order to study physiological functions of polyamines in cold tolerance of Arabidopsis.

3. Specific activities to be integrated into WG and/or Subgroups

WG3: The work will cover packages 3.1 and 3.2 by investigating the regulation of metabolic pathways that cause accumulation of compatible solutes like sugars, proline and other N-containing compounds during cold acclimation, as well as the subcellular compartmentation of these solutes.

WG4.2: Study the metabolic variability in various Arabidopsis ecotypes with regard to changes in polyamine metabolism in response to low temperatures.

WG4.3: Physiological and biochemical characterization of Arabidopsis PA metabolic mutants and transgenics with respect to cold stress.

4. Qualification for the role and current grants

Arnd G. Heyer is Full Professor at the Department of Botany at the Institute of Biology of the University of Stuttgart. He is working on plant sugar metabolism since 1993 and on plant cold tolerance since 2000. Work is currently financed by two National grants (DFG-HE3087/7-1 and LSBW-33-729.64-3/28-A6).

5. Technical expertise and facilities

This partner will provide all of the experience required for HPLC determination of sugars and polyamines, determination of sugar metabolic enzyme activities, and also on subcellular localization of cellular compounds as well as molecular biological techniques, including RT-PCR, gene cloning and plant transformation. The laboratory and Scientific Services of the University of Stuttgart have the equipment and facilities to carry out the work allocated.