Our laboratory at the Department of Biology at RWTH Aachen University specializes in mathematical biology and computational modeling, contributing to both research and teaching in the context of computational biology. Central to our work is the exploration of photosynthesis dynamics within the broader scope of environmental studies, food security, bioenergetics, and plant-microbe interactions. Our current research efforts are concentrated on several key thematic areas:

• Basic Photosynthesis Regulation and Fluorescence Models of Primary Production: We are interested in understanding the intricate mechanisms governing photosynthesis regulation within natural environmental settings. We develop dynamic, fluorescence models to assess primary production dynamics, crucial for optimizing agricultural output. Methods: differential equations based models, dynamic simulations.
• Plant-Microbe Interactions: Exploring the intricate relationships between plants and associated microbial organisms is a core focus. By elucidating the complexities of these interactions, we aim to enhance our understanding of plant health, resilience, and productivity. Methods: game theory, population dynamics.
• Production of High-Value Compounds, Secondary Metabolism, and Plant Bioenergetics: Our research extends to the synthesis of valuable compounds and secondary metabolites within plants. By unraveling the intricacies of plant bioenergetics, we seek to harness their potential for various applications, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and industrial processes. Methods: coarse-grained kinetic models, genome scale models.

Through our interdisciplinary approach, merging mathematical modeling with biological insights, we strive to address pressing challenges in plant science while fostering innovation and sustainability in agriculture and beyond.

We are a part of the:

• SFB 1535 - MibiNet "Microbial networking – from organelles to cross-kingdom communities"
• Rresearch group DFG FOR 5573/1 - GoPMF "Dynamic Regulation of the Proton Motive Force in Photosynthesis"
• Helmholtz School for Data Science in Life, Earth and Energy (HDS-LEE)
• Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC)