Aus der Forschung

A previously unknown mechanism relies on intrinsically inactive σ factor more

Bacteria pre-invest in motile behavior more

Density effects impair chemotactic behavior more

Everyone following Formula 1 knows that securing the pole position is not simple. The same is true for many proteins in rod-shaped bacteria like Myxococcus xanthus: they must localize to the cell… more

Hydrogen gas is a green energy carrier. Microorganisms use dedicated enzymes called hydrogenases to convert this gas into energy. One of the model enzymes is [Fe]-hydrogenase (Hmd) that catalyzes the… more

Plants are under constant attack by pathogens. To protect themselves, plants produce an array of defense proteins. Kiwellins are a family of secreted plant proteins that are common in many plant… more

Smut fungi are pathogens that parasitize mainly grass plants including economically important cereals like maize. Most smut pathogens cause disease symptoms only in the flowers of their host plants… more

Hydrogenase enzymes catalyze production and utilization of hydrogen gas, which is considered as a future energy carrier. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg… more

Bacteria utilize CRISPR-Cas systems to defend themselves against viral attacks. Six major CRISPR-Cas Types have been classified based on the presence of signature proteins.  Five of these six types… more

The fungus Ustilago maydis causes maize smut disease. When infecting maize plants the fungus is recognized through the plant immune system which attacks the intruder through a cocktail of defense… more