Prof. Dr. Andreas P.M. Weber

We use evolutionary and comparative transcriptomics and genomics, systems biology, biochemistry and plant physiology to unravel the genetic design principles underlying the diversity of photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathways in land plants. A particular focus is on the evolution of C₄ photosynthesis via C₃-C₄ intermediate photosynthesis and the ecological role of C₃-C₄ intermediates. Our research addresses specific aspects of plant cell function through the lens of photosynthesis. In addition to addressing fundamental questions in plant cell biology and metabolism, our work provides a scientific basis and blueprints for synthetic biology approaches to maximize photosynthetic productivity

1. Triesch S, Denton AK, Bouvier JW, Buchmann JP, Reichel-Deland V, Guerreiro R, Busch N, Schluter U, Stich B, Kelly S, Weber APM (2024) Transposable elements contribute to the establishment of the glycine shuttle in Brassicaceae species. Plant Biol (Stuttg) 26(2):270-281. doi: 10.1111/plb.13601.
2. Smith EN, van Aalst M, Tosens T, Niinemets Ü, Stich B, Morosinotto T, Alboresi A, Erb TJ, Gómez-Coronado PA, Tolleter D, Finazzi G, Curien G, Heinemann M, Ebenhöh O, Hibberd JM, Schlüter U, Sun T, Weber APM (2023) Improving photosynthetic efficiency toward food security: Strategies, advances, and perspectives. Molecular Plant 16(10):1547-1563. doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2023.08.017.
3. Schlüter U, Bouvier JW, Guerreiro R, Malisic M, Kontny C, Westhoff P, Stich B, Weber APM (2023) Brassicaceae display variation in efficiency of photorespiratory carbon-recapturing mechanisms. J Exp Bot 74(21):6631-6649. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad250.
4. Hoang NV, Sogbohossou EOD, Xiong W, Simpson CJC, Singh P, Walden N, van den Bergh E, Becker FFM, Li Z, Zhu XG, Bräutigam A, Weber APM, van Haarst JC, Schijlen E, Hendre PS, Van Deynze A, Achigan-Dako EG, Hibberd JM, Schranz ME (2023) The Gynandropsis gynandra genome provides insights into whole-genome duplications and the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Cleomaceae. Plant Cell 35(5):1334-1359. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koad018.
5. Guerreiro R, Bonthala VS, Schlüter U, Hoang NV, Triesch S, Schranz ME, Weber APM, Stich B (2023) A genomic panel for studying C3-C4 intermediate photosynthesis in the Brassiceae tribe. Plant Cell Environ 46(11):3611-3627. doi: 10.1111/pce.14662.
6. Yokochi Y, Yoshida K, Hahn F, Miyagi A, Wakabayashi KI, Kawai-Yamada M, Weber APM, Hisabori T (2021) Redox regulation of NADP-malate dehydrogenase is vital for land plants under fluctuating light environment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 118(6). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2016903118.
7. Roell MS, Schada von Borzykowski L, Westhoff P, Plett A, Paczia N, Claus P, Urte S, Erb TJ, Weber APM (2021) A synthetic C4 shuttle via the beta-hydroxyaspartate cycle in C3 plants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 118(21). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2022307118.
8. Schlüter U, Bräutigam A, Gowik U, Melzer M, Christin PA, Kurz S, Mettler-Altmann T, Weber AP (2017) Photosynthesis in C3-C4 intermediate Moricandia species. J Exp Bot 68(2):191-206. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erw391.
9. Eisenhut M, Bräutigam A, Timm S, Florian A, Tohge T, Fernie AR, Bauwe H, Weber APM (2017) Photorespiration Is Crucial for Dynamic Response of Photosynthetic Metabolism and Stomatal Movement to Altered CO(2) Availability. Mol Plant 10(1):47-61. doi: 10.1016/j.molp.2016.09.011.
10. Pick TR, Bräutigam A, Schulz MA, Obata T, Fernie AR, Weber AP (2013) PLGG1, a plastidic glycolate glycerate transporter, is required for photorespiration and defines a unique class of metabolite transporters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110(8):3185-3190. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1215142110.