FUNCT.1 Temperature sensing in plants

In contrast to many other pathways in plants, such as light signalling, hormone perception and pathogen responses where the receptors and signalling pathways have been elucidated, the primary mechanisms of temperature perception are poorly understood. We use the model system Arabidopsis thaliana extensively to uncover fundamental mechanisms, and we aim to transfer this knowledge to other plants, including horticultural crops. We are using a combination of genetic, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches to identify key signalling components and the underlying transcriptional and translational regulatory networks of the temperature sensing pathways..

The IGZ provides an ideal environment for this research, and we have the opportunity to collaborate and benefit from outstanding local research groups both within the institute and at the nearby Golm campus (Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and University of Potsdam) as well as the Freie and Humboldt universities in Berlin.

We welcome applications from outstanding scientists at all levels who are excited about working on these important questions with us. Former students in the lab have gone on to PhD positions at Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, the John Innes Centre and MIT. Six former Wigge lab postdocs have gone on to run their own research groups.