Department of Plant Bioenergetics
Research topics
The research conducted by the Department of Plant Bioenergetics focuses on:
- understanding the role of individual components of the plant mitochondrial respiratory chain, with particular emphasis on the roles of internal NADH dehydrogenase type II –NDA2 and alternative oxidase (AOX) in maintaining the redox homeostasis of leaf cells of Arabidopsis thaliana grown under optimal growth conditions and under stress conditions. Research in this field is conducted using both classical biochemical/molecular biology techniques with transgenic plants as a research material and appropriate Arabidopsis biosensor lines enabling monitoring of specific parameters in vivo.
- explaining the causes of the so-called ammonium syndrome – plant development disorders that occur when ammonium ions are the only available source of nitrogen. In our research to date, we have proven that the effects of ammonium nutrition include: reductive stress, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS); increased production of methylglyoxal (MG) leading to the accumulation of MG-dependent advanced glycation end products (dicarbonyl stress); disturbances in cell wall metabolism; and deregulation of cation and phytohormone metabolism.
Research projects
To what extent does calcium deficiency in plant tissues contribute to ammonium syndrome? UMO-2017/25/B/NZ3/01770, 2018 – 2024, Opus 13, National Science Centre
How changes in auxin distribution can affect growth of plants under ammonium nutrition. UMO- 2018/29/B/NZ3/02687, 2019 – 2025, Opus 15, National Science Centre
Changes in apoplastic metabolism of Arabidopsis thaliana under short-term ammonium treatment. UMO-2019/33/N/NZ3/02220, 2020 – 2023, Preludium 17, National Science Centre
To what extent type II NADH dehydrogenase NDA2 may compensate the lack of activity of complex I in the plant mitochondrial electron transport chain? UMO-2019/35/B/NZ3/04233, 2020 – 2025, Opus 18, National Science Centre
Insight into mitochondrial dissipation system involvement during cellular overreduction of plant cells under stress conditions – in vivo assay. UMO-2021/43/D/NZ3/02172, 2022 – 2025, Sonata 17, National Science Centre
Diploma theses completed at the Department
Bachelor’s theses
Does short-term ammonium treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana induce oxidative stress? A study with of Arabidopsis cultivation in liquid culture system – Krzyszof Kuczmerowicz (2020)
The role of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase mMDH2 in response to ammonium stress in Arabidopsis thaliana – Zuzanna Bieńko (2022)
Master’s theses
Developing and screening for fro1-NDA2 double mutant Arabidopsis lines combining the knockout of mitochondrial complex I and overexpression of mitochondrial external type II NADH dehydrogenase – Katsiaryna Kryzheuskaya (2021)
The effect of ammonium nutrition on autophagy process in Arabidopsis thaliana – Sylwia Piórek (2022)
The role of phytomelatonin as a compound with antioxidant properties in response of Arabidopsis thaliana plants to oxidative stress caused by ammonium nutrition – Marta Laszczka (2023)
Doctoral theses
Methylglyoxal metabolism in ammonium-treated Arabidopsis plants – Klaudia Borysiuk (2023)
The role of apoplastic reactive oxygen species metabolism in ammonium-induced growth inhibition in Arabidopsis thaliana – Maria Burian (2024)
Changes in calcium homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana resulting from ammonium nutrition – Agata Wdowiak (2024)
Changes in auxin and cytokinin metabolism in ammonium-grown Arabidopsis plants – Kacper Dziewit (2025)