Along with sugar reallocation, a basic molecular mechanism within plants controls the formation of new lateral roots. An international team of plant biologists has demonstrated that it is based on the activity of a certain factor, the target of rapamycin (TOR) protein. A better understanding of the processes that regulate root branching at the molecular level could contribute to improving plant growth and therefore crop yields, according to research team leader Prof. Dr Alexis Maizel of the Centre for Organismal Studies at Heidelberg University.
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The Olympia Morata Programme of Heidelberg University is funding four junior female researchers working on their postdoctoral or comparable qualifications. After a successful review of their applications, Dr Laura Schmidt (psychology), Dr Lisa Baumann (biology), Dr Julia Bauer (medical physics), and Dr Giulia Pelillo-Hestermeyer (Romance studies) have been selected as award recipients. The goal of the university is to increasingly attract women to university and scientific careers.
Dr Laura Schmidt works at the Institute of Psychology in the research unit “health psychology” on health-related behaviour over the entire life span. Her postdoctoral project focuses on practical approaches intended to promote health-related behaviour and well-being through technology-based interventions and psychological techniques on behaviour modification.