M₂C₂ webinar: #2 The Pohnert lab

The Pohnert group elucidates new chemical defence- and communication strategies of marine algae using the tools of modern bioorganic chemistry. We seek to understand the chemical language spoken between organisms. In the aquatic environment we focus on the language of algae that release molecules into the water in order to communicate with each other, to interact with microorganisms or to defend themselves. Our work aims to understand the role of chemical compounds as mediators of ecological interactions of entire communities. Isolation, spectroscopy and organic synthesis of natural products are important aspects of our work, but we believe that the full picture of the role of the compounds can only be obtained if biochemistry and ecology are brought in as well. We also develop new methods based on metabolomics techniques (i.e. the monitoring of all metabolites released by a given organisms) to understand chemically mediated processes in communities. Our interdisciplinary work gives new insights into the chemically mediated species interactions and the function of natural products.