In nature, organisms live in communities and form complex trophic interactions. Understanding how multitrophic communities evolve and respond to environmental changes is a fundamental and pressing challenge in face of global change. While research in evolutionary biology revealed that a warming climate can drive adaptive evolution of individual organisms in the community, studies from community ecology showed that a warming climate can alter trophic interactions and community structure, which in turn changes the (co)evolutionary trajectory of interacting species. Thus, integrating evolutionary and ecological responses is crucial to understand the climate responses of individual species and communities. However, methodological challenges have hampered empirical studies until now. This project will address these challenges by experimentally evolving populations of three interacting species (aphid, duckweed, and daphnia) in their native communities using outdoor mesocosms with different climate conditions.

We will quantify how warming shapes the function and evolution of the multitrophic community in real-time. By manipulating climate-driven plant evolution, we will determine whether plant evolution alters the community’s response to climate change. We will also assess whether the interacting species coevolve in the community by quantifying the reciprocal selection imposed from their evolutionary changes. We will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying (co)evolution using state-of-the-art genetic tools. Using a combination of experimental evolution, community manipulation, and cutting-edge genetic and analytic tools, this project will push the research boundaries of evolutionary ecology by revealing the mechanisms and processes of community evolution at work.

Many plant specialized metabolites (PSMs) function as defenses and abrogating particular pathway steps can lead to the accumulation of toxic intermediates, indicating that in addition to defense-based functional selection, autotoxicity avoidance plays a key role in the evolution of the PSM biochemistry. However, we currently do not know to which extent and how autotoxicity protection mechanisms evolve in concert with defensive functions. 

These challenging questionsrequire a multi-species and -organ approach integrating gene -and PSM-level information (multiomics atlases) to test, using both functional and evolutionary studies, three key predictions of autotoxicity avoidance-driven evolution: that 1) strong signatures of positive selection for a PSM pathway should be detected for genes participating in autotoxicity prevention; 2) expression of those genes should likely be enriched in specific cell types associated with cell growth and/or differentiation; and that 3) similar organ-level signatures of selection should be detected among closely-related species harboring a given PSM innovation, since the selection imposed by intrinsic cellular functions is likely to be less dynamic than ecological selections. Here, by building on our recent breakthrough on the biosynthesis and (auto)toxicity mechanisms of diterpene glycosides (DTG) in tobacco as well as on other groups’ work on the biosynthesis of steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGA), two prominent Solaneaceae PSM defenses, we will implement a state-of-the-art integration of computational metabolomics, transcriptomics, single-cell genomics and genetic manipulation tools to address this challenge.

We aim to 

(i) establish integrated metabolomics-transcriptomics atlases for eight solanaceous species to pinpoint on biochemical innovations in the DTG and SGA pathways; 

(ii) retrace the molecular evolution of these pathways and characterize genes with signatures of strong positive selection; 

(iii), as a case-study, functionally decipher the contribution of autotoxicity avoidance for SGAs’ evolution using a combination of single-cell genomics and genetic manipulations. The outcomes of this work will allow us to evaluate whether autotoxicity prevention is a key selection pressure driving the chemodiversification in Solanaceae. 

This is a joint project together with Prof. Emmanuel Gaquerel from the University of Strasbourg, funded by DFG and ANR.

Related publications:

Using comparative genomics, transcriptomics, cell-level analyses, and functional experiments, we aim to understand how defensive traits originate, how they are regulated, and how they contribute to ecological success. While the mechanistic details of this ongoing project remain confidential, our broader goal is to reveal how evolution generates novel cellular functions and how these innovations shape the adaptive potential of pest species.

This project is part of SPP 2349.

To identify the genetic mechanisms underlying ovariole number variations in CPB, we will perform quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using the established mapping populations. We will also compare the small RNA profiles and single-cell transcriptomes of the TF between the two genotypes that differ in their ovariole numbers. The outcomes will provide new insights into the cellular regulation of cell fate, e.g., via small RNAs, involved in controlling ovariole numbers in CPB. Furthermore, we will use the population genomics approach to characterize the signature of selection in CPB and investigate whether the evolution of the toxin and ovariole number in CPB was under natural selection.

This project is part of the GenEvo Research Training Programme.

This project is part of the GenEvo Research Training Programme.

This work will provide new insight into the evolution of plant reproductive development and create a compact experimental platform for studying flower formation, genome evolution, and synthetic biology in plants.

Europe’s strategic vulnerability is rooted in its dependency on imported raw materials. Pharmaceutical supply chains rely on non-EU sources for key chemical precursors, while the EU also imports vast quantities of protein feeds and vegetable oils. In recent geopolitical tensions, or epidemic outbreaks, such dependencies translate into shortages, price spikes, and loss of autonomy.

This project explores duckweed as a green, scalable platform for producing valuable biological raw materials for medicine, food, and renewable bio-based products within Europe. Duckweeds grow rapidly in contained aquatic systems, require little land, and can be integrated with nutrient-recycling approaches, making them attractive for decentralized and sustainable production. Building on our expertise in duckweed biology and plant synthetic biology, we aim to develop this system as a model for future low-footprint biomanufacturing, contributing to more resilient European supply chains and reduced environmental impact.

This project is supported by Mainzer-wissenschaftsstiftung.

This project investigates how host choice shapes rapid adaptation in the Colorado potato beetle, a globally important agricultural pest. We combine behavioural assays, experimental evolution, population genetics, and modelling to test how oviposition and feeding preferences influence adaptation to insecticide-treated host plants. By linking niche choice with resistance evolution, the project aims to clarify how pest populations respond to strong human-imposed selection and why different behavioural and genetic strategies can coexist within populations. These insights will improve our understanding of rapid host adaptation and may inform more sustainable approaches to pest management.

This project is part of SFB-TRR 212

This project investigates how host choice shapes rapid adaptation in the Colorado potato beetle, a globally important agricultural pest. We combine behavioural assays, experimental evolution, population genetics, and modelling to test how oviposition and feeding preferences influence adaptation to insecticide-treated host plants. By linking niche choice with resistance evolution, the project aims to clarify how pest populations respond to strong human-imposed selection and why different behavioural and genetic strategies can coexist within populations. These insights will improve our understanding of rapid host adaptation and may inform more sustainable approaches to pest management.

This project is part of SFB-TRR 212

Christian Uhink is responsible for teaching the Botanical Identification Exercises and the Basic Botanical Exercises in the undergraduate programs. He received his PhD working at the Institute of Special Botany at JGU Mainz on the systematics and biogeography of alpine plant groups. He also works as a study manager for the faculty of biology.

Martin joined the group in May 2018. He received his PhD from the University of Jena for his work at the Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (Prof. Ian Baldwin) in 2015. He has extensive experience with analytic chemistry and is interested in studying the mechanisms and functions of plant chemical defences. He is currently in charge of the molecular and analytic platforms in the group. He is also working on an ongoing project that investigates whether and how aphid herbivory on duckweed affects the evolution of aquatic communities.

Nijat joined the group in June 2022. He received his PhD in community and behavioural ecology at the  University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany in 2022. He is interested in understanding the mechanisms and consequences of animal behaviour. He is currently working on the role of niche choice on host plant adaptation in Colorado potato beetles. His project is part of the NC3 initiative.

Abhisek joined the group in April 2024. He received his PhD in computational genomics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, India in December, 2023. During his PhD, he used a multi-omics approach to understand the adaptive evolution of biological pathways in Eukaryotic organisms. His postdoctoral research at JGU Mainz focuses on revealing the role of autotoxicity protection for defense metabolism innovations in Solanaceae using a multi-omics approach.

Thomas joined the group in January 2026. He recently completed his dissertation at Leibniz Institute on Aging in Jena. His postdoctoral research at JGU Mainz focuses on the evolution and function of horizontally transferred genes in Colorado potato beetle.

Zhiyao joined the group in May 2026 as a postdoc. He obtained his PhD from Zhejiang University in 2025, studying molecular mechanisms underlying plant-herbivore interactions. In AG Xu, he will develop and state-of-the-art molecular biology tools to understand the biosynthesis and function of plant specialised metabolites

Sara joined the group in September 2021. She received her master’s degree from the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies in Bari, Italy.
She is interested in understanding how microbes affect the function and evolution of plant defences. She has been working on the plant experimental project.

Léonore joined the group in July 2022, after receiving her master’s degree at Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris. She is currently working on the evolution of a neurotoxin in Colorado potato beetles. Her project is part of the GenEvo research training group. She is co-supervised by Prof. Marion Silies.

Himrekha joined the group in May, 2023 after receiving her master’s degree from the University of Mumbai, India. She is working on the mechanisms underlying neurotoxin self-tolerance and its evolution in Colorado Potato Beetles. She is co-supervised by Prof. Marion Silies.. Her project is a part of the GenEvo Research Training group.

Philippa joined the group in June 2024 after receiving her master’s degree from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. She is interested in understanding animal behavior and currently working on investigating the evolution of niche choice behavior and its effects on the fitness of Colorado potato beetles.

Anna joined the group in January 2025 after earning her master’s degree from Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe interactions, with a particular interest in developing a transformation method for Lemna aequinoctialis.

Boya joined the group in April 2026 as a GenEvo student. He obtained his Master’s thesis in 2024 from the Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Later, he worked as a research assistant at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. His PhD project aims to understand how selection drives the evolution of gene expression among different organs in the Colorado potato beetle.

Our group has state-of-the-art analytic instruments. This includes a Shimazu Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS 8060 (funded by DFG). This machine can quantify small molecules, such as phytohormones, with very highly sensitive and precision. For more details, please see here: https://www.shimadzu.de/lcms-8060-triple-quadrupole-ms

If you are interested in using our analytic instrument, please contract:

Dr. Martin Schäfer (mschaefer@uni-mainz.de)
or
Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de)

The NanoJect III is a precision microinjection system designed for the controlled delivery of small volumes of liquids into cells and other biological samples. It enables accurate and reproducible injections, making it particularly suitable for applications in molecular and cellular biology, such as the microinjection of DNA, RNA, proteins, or other reagents.

If you are interested in using our Microinjector please contract Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The Axio Zoom V16 is a high-performance digital microscope designed for advanced industrial and scientific inspection. It combines a motorized zoom system with high-resolution imaging, allowing users to inspect and document fine details efficiently. The system is particularly suitable for quality control, failure analysis, research, and precision inspection, where accurate visualization and reproducible results are important.

If you are interested in using our high-performance digital microscope please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The Axio Imager Z2 is a high-performance upright research microscope designed for advanced life science and materials analysis. It combines a fully motorized stand with high-resolution optics, allowing users to image and document fine structural details efficiently. The system is particularly suitable for fluorescence, DIC, and polarization microscopy, as well as multidimensional imaging workflows such as z-stacks, time-lapse, and tile stitching, where precise focusing and reproducible results are important.

If you are interested in using our high-performance digital microscope please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters is a benchtop instrument designed for the automated and standardized preparation of single-cell suspensions, intact nuclei, and tissue homogenates. It combines gentle mechanical dissociation with eight individual heating units operating at 37 °C, allowing enzymatic digestion and tissue processing to be performed on-instrument. The system is particularly suitable for sample preparation in cell biology, immunology, and molecular research, where high cell viability, reproducible dissociation, and parallel processing of up to eight samples are important.

If you are interested in using our Dissociator please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The VANTAstar is a compact multimode microplate reader designed for flexible and user-friendly detection in basic research and life science applications. It combines patented dual LVF Monochromators, optical filters, and a UV/Vis spectrometer with Enhanced Dynamic Range technology, allowing users to measure absorbance, fluorescence intensity, luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and fluorescence polarization in a single instrument. The system is particularly suitable for assay development, ELISA, cell-based assays, and drug screening, where wavelength flexibility, high sensitivity, and reproducible results across plate formats up to 384 wells are important.

If you are interested in using our plate reader please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The QuantStudio 3 is a compact real-time PCR system designed for accurate and user-friendly nucleic acid quantification in routine genomic research. It combines proven OptiFlex optics with a white LED light source and three independent VeriFlex temperature zones, allowing users to perform quantitative, qualitative, and genotyping assays with high sensitivity. The system is particularly suitable for gene expression analysis, genotyping, and pathogen detection, where a 1.5-fold discrimination of target quantities, a 10-log dynamic range, and reproducible results across a 96-well format are important.

If you are interested in using our qPCR Machine please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The Leica CM1860 is a semi-motorized high-performance cryostat designed for rapid freezing and sectioning of human tissue specimens in histopathology laboratories. It combines an encapsulated rotary microtome with motorized specimen feeding and a precisely temperature-controlled cryochamber adjustable from 0 °C to -35 °C, allowing users to produce thin frozen sections from 1 µm to 100 µm quickly and reliably. The system is particularly suitable for intraoperative frozen section diagnosis and routine histological examination, where accurate section quality, efficient workflow, and reproducible results are important.

If you are interested in using our high-performance cryostat please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)

The AlgaeLabAnalyser is a compact laboratory fluorometer designed for the rapid and accurate determination of chlorophyll concentrations and algal class differentiation in water samples. It uses colored LEDs to excite chlorophyll fluorescence and allocates the emission to different algal classes, allowing users to quantify green algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms, and cryptophytes simultaneously in a 25 ml cuvette without filtration or solvent preparation. The system is particularly suitable for water quality monitoring, limnological research, and environmental management, where direct measurement, differentiation of phytoplankton groups, and reproducible results comparable to HPLC pigment analysis are important.

If you are interested in using our compact laboratory fluorometer please contract:

Prof. Shuqing Xu (shuqing.xu@uni-mainz.de) or Dr. Siân Stockton (sstockto@uni-mainz.de)