Dr. Alexander Hertle

My research focuses on the mechanisms of thylakoid membrane development and maintenance under normal and challenging environmental conditions (e.g. heat stress, drought stress). Thylakoids harbor the light reactions of photosynthesis an are essential for plant photoautotrophic growth. While the molecular composition of thylakoid membranes has largely been deciphered, the mechanisms underlying membrane biogenesis remain elusive and many factors involved are unknown. This is due to the multidimensionality and spatiotemporal coordination of the process, in which any disruption has a detrimental effect on the survival of the plant.

With a strong emphasis on the mechanisms of bilayer deposition and shaping we are using an interdisciplinary approach to unravel the regulatory framework of membrane dynamics  

Here we are combining high resolution electron microscopy imaging, live cell confocal imaging employing signaling lipid biosensors, synthetic membrane systems (e.g. giant unilamellar vesicles), biochemical assays and lipid analytics (e.g. TLC) in order to characterize novel players in membrane assembly and intercompartmental signaling hubs required for adaptation to environmental cues.