Microbiology
In the Department of Microbiology (Prof. Dr. Reinhard Fischer) the cell biology and metabolism of filamentous fungi is studied in four areas:
1. In Aspergillus nidulans we are studying the fungal cytoskeleton and its role in polar growth and discovered a novel microtubule-organizing center at septa.
2. In a second research line we are analyzing the light response of A. nidulans and discovered phytochrome as the red-light sensor protein. We are interested in unraveling the red-light dependent signal transduction processes which control a large propotion of the fungal genome.
3. In Alternaria alternata mycotoxin formation is studied, with a special focus on altertoxins.
4. Recently, we started a new research project with the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We are interested in the signaling processes between the two organisms as well as potential applications of the fungi for biocontrol of nematode-caused plant pests.
Further reading