Plant Biochemistry

Hans-Walter Heldt was a professor at the University of Göttingen in the Department of Biochemistry of the plant. He is co-authored over 250 scientific publications and is the co-author of the textbook, Plant Biochemistry. In 1993, he was awarded the Max Planck Research Award together with Marshall Davidson Hatch . Since 1990, he has been a full member of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences. Birgit Piechulla’s current research focus is to understand the biosynthesis and regulation of volatile organic compounds of bacteria and plants (flowers) and to elucidate the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms and reactions, including signal transduction, in the mVOC receiver. She published 112 peer-reviewed publications, 25 book articles and non-peer-reviewed articles (Researchgate h-index 37). Her book, Plant Biochemistry, co-written with H.W. Heldt has been published in German, English, Russian, Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Turkish. From 1998 - 2013 she was co-editor of Plant Biology, board member of the Deutsche Botanische Gesellschaft (DBG) (2009-2016), board member of the Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (GBM) (2008-2016), councilor of the Int. Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE) (2014- 2017), and she held several academic positions within the university, including Vice Rector for Science at the University of Rostock (2,5 years, 2013-2015).

1. A Leaf Cell Consists of Several Metabolic Compartments2. The Use of Energy from Sunlight by Photosynthesis is the Basis of Life on Earth 3. Photosynthesis is an Electron Transport Process 4. ATP is Generated by Photosynthesis 5. Mitochondria are the Power Station of the Cell 6. The Calvin Cycle Catalyzes Photosynthetic CO2 Assimilation 7. In the Photorespiratory Pathway Phosphoglycolate Formed by the Oxygenase Activity of RubisCo is Recycled 8. Photosynthesis Implies the Consumption of Water9. Polysaccharides are Storage and Transport Forms of Carbohydrates Produced by Photosynthesis 10. Nitrate Assimilation is Essential for the Synthesis of Organic Matter 11. Nitrogen Fixation Enables the Nitrogen in the Air to be Used for Plant Growth 12. Sulfate Assimilation Enables the Synthesis of Sulfur Containing Substances 13. Phloem Transport Distributes Photoassimilates to the Various Sites of Consumption and Storage14. Products of Nitrate Assimilation are Deposited in Plants as Storage Proteins 15. Glycerolipids are Membrane Constituents and Function as Carbon Stores 16. Secondary Metabolites Fulfill Specific Ecological Functions in Plants17. Large Diversity of Isoprenoids has Multiple Funtions in Plant Metabolism18. Phenylpropanoids Comprise a Multitude of Plant Secondary Metabolites and Cell Wall Components 19. Multiple Signals Regulate the Growth and Development of Plant Organs and Enable Their Adaptation to Environmental Conditions20. A Plant Cell has Three Different Genomes 21. Protein Biosynthesis Occurs at Different Sites of a Cell 22. Gene Technology Makes it Possible to Alter Plants to Meet Requirements of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Industry