Plant-microbe Interactions
The focus of our research is on understanding the dynamic interactions between plants and bacteria at the molecular level. In an interdisciplinary approach, we study how plants sense microbial colonization and activate an immune response, but also how the bacteria adapt to the plant host environment and how this contributes to their persistence in the host plant.
Our group studies the interaction between different plant species and Gram-negative Proteobacteria such as Pseudomonas species. Our major research areas are immune sensing of bacteria through plant cell surface receptors and bacterial cell wall dynamics during plant colonization. We are particularly interested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and related metabolites. LPS is a heterogeneous and complex glycolipid macromolecule, that covers ~75% of the Gram-negative bacterial cell surface. LPS is not only vital for the survival of bacteria but fulfils multiple roles in interaction with hosts.
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Ranf
University of Fribourg
Department of Biology
Phone: +41 26 300 8817