Biochemical Journal Young Investigator Award winner

Robert Kumpf

During Robert Kumpf's studies in Marburg, Germany (2002-2008) in genetics, biochemistry and molecular plant development, he had the opportunity to deepen his knowledge on the interface between plant physiology and molecular networks. His diploma thesis was conducted in the group of Professor A. Batschauer, (Department of Molecular Plant Physiology) on phenotypical characterization of the cry3 mutant.

Since January 2009, he has been employed as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oslo, Department of Genetics, in the group of Professor R. Aalen, who has identified the small peptide IDA (INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION), involved in shedding of floral organs (Butenko et al., 2003; Stenvik et al., 2006 and 2008). Inspired by the current knowledge on IDA, he is investigating the natural functions of the related IDA-LIKE (IDL) peptides in Arabidopsis, with particular attention to the role of IDL1 and IDL4 in root development.

IDA signals through receptor-like kinases. Thus the aim of our research is directed towards understanding the pathway of IDL signalling, which presumably is mediated by similar membrane receptors and MAP kinase cascades that influence different aspects of root growth. The unravelling of other genes involved in IDL pathways will hopefully enable them to place the IDLs in the regulatory networks controlling cell separation, cell division and differentiation.