Light Signaling and Cell Biology lab members

Kasper is the PI of the lab. He likes coffee, results, live music and social events, although sadly, except the coffee, there’s never enough of those. He did his BSc and MSc degrees in biology with a specialization in cell biology at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. For his PhD he joined the Molecular and Developmental Genetics group at Leiden University, under the guidance of Prof. Remko Offringa. There, he delved into the cell biology of plant transmembrane auxin transporters, particularly PIN-FORMED (PIN) auxin transporters and their regulation by the AGC3-type kinase PINOID (PID). His research direction shifted towards the interactions between PID kinases and the light regulatory protein COP1) specifically in the context of light and darkness effects on root growth. He then moved to Utrecht University's Plant Photobiology/Ecophysiology group, led by Prof. Ronald Pierik, where they focused on plant responses to far red light and explored shoot-to-root signalling. He continued working with Prof. Pierik on shoot-root signaling and rekindled his interest in cell biology, studying the phyB photobody and the shoot-to-root transport of the ELONGATED HY5 transcription factor.

With the help of funding from the DFG Emmy Noether Program he has set up his own lab at the COS. His current research is a combination between his expertise obtained during his MSc and PhD degrees in Cell Biology and his postdoc work, which focused on light signalling. His group is researching the basis of light perception by looking at the phenomenon of the phyB photobody. In particular, they are trying to understand exactly how it forms and how it benefits phyB signalling. Kasper has remained fascinated by protein interactions and their role in the fundamental processes of life and hopes to convey this fascination to others via his teaching in the Molecular Biosciences master programs.

Hello, my name is Franziska and I am a PhD student in the lab. One of the things I really like about being a PhD student is meeting people form so many different nationalities and backgrounds. Another fact about me: If you might find me stressed or depressed, the best way to deal with me is giving me food and everything will be fine again :)

Before moving to Heidelberg, I did my BSc and MSc degree in biology at Freiburg University with a specialization in Plant Sciences during my MSc. Among all the different fields of plant research, I kind of fell in love with light signaling. After doing my Master project about the signaling pathway of phytochrome B (phyB), the main receptor for red light responses in Arabidopsis thaliana, I stayed in the field and am now continuing with investigating the dynamics of phyB photobody formation under different light conditions.

I am a PhD student in the lab. I like reading fiction way more than research articles, which explains the progress of my PhD😉. The best way to find me outside working hours would be to spot a cat and voila, I will be there. 

Before moving to Germany, I was in India where I finished my Bachelors and Masters from Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati. For my masters, I was using molecular tools to capture the effect of fungal infection on Arabidopsis root’s architecture. During my PhD, I want to understand the effect of light and temperature on phyB photobody dynamics. 

Hello, I'm Manisha. I've been a recipient of the DAAD scholarship and embarked on my PhD journey in October 2023 in the lab. My academic journey has been centered around my fascination with light signaling in plants. For my master's degree at NISER, India, I delved into identifying and characterizing B-box genes in Beta vulgaris. This experience deepened my interest in photobiology, leading me to pursue the same field for my PhD. My research project focuses on exploring the function of COP1 bodies and its interaction with PhyB photobodies in the context of light signaling. Outside of my academic pursuits, you'll often find me engaged in cooking, window shopping, styling hair, listening to music, or catching up on sleep. However, none of these hobbies can rival my tendencies towards overthinking and procrastination:). I find solace in organizing occasional crying sessions with friends as a coping mechanism for the stresses of PhD life😉.

Omar Heliel is a research associate Scientist with expertise in molecular biology, plant development biology, and genetic engineering, currently serving as a Lab Manager at the Group of Light Signaling. My academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from Cairo University, providing me with a solid foundation in the field. Following this, I worked as a Research Assistant at the Desert Research Center in Egypt, contributing to research focused on enhancing heat stress tolerance in transgenic tomatoes. Driven by my passion for innovation, I pursued a Master's degree at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) in Crete, Greece, where my research was focused on plant stress response to salt stress. Continuing my pursuit of knowledge, I obtained my doctoral degree from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany. During my Ph.D. studies, I tried to decipher the role of the HvRA2 gene in barley spike inflorescence development. I am dedicated to advancing scientific understanding and contributing to innovative solutions in molecular biology and plant biotechnology.)

Freddy Igiebor is a Molecular and Applied Plant Science student at University of Heidelberg. Beside having BSc in Biological Sciences, previously he accomplished a master degree in Graphic Design. Therefore, he uses his diverse background in image analysis and confocal microscopy. In the lab, Freddy works with model moss species Physcomitrella patens. He tries to establish an imaging protocol for Physcomitrella patens to improve our understanding of light perception also in primitive plants.