R. Halitschke

Genome-wide associations of leaf spectral variation in MAGIC lines of Nicotiana attenuata

This study uses MAGIC lines of Nicotiana attenuata to associate genetic variation with leaf spectral variation, identifying a novel locus linked to red-edge and near-infrared reflectance.

Immunity and bacterial recruitment in plant leaves are parallel processes that together shape sensitivity to temperature stress

This study compares two Arabidopsis genotypes to show how immunity and bacterial recruitment interact to influence heat stress tolerance.

Three cytochrome P450 from Nicotiana attenuata play key roles in triterpene biosynthesis

Three CYP716 enzymes in Nicotiana attenuata catalyze distinct steps in triterpene biosynthesis, influencing growth and development through ABA and stress responses.

Heterologous expression of PtAAS1 reveals the metabolic potential of the common plant metabolite phenylacetaldehyde for auxin synthesis in planta

This study shows that PtAAS1 converts phenylacetaldehyde into phenylacetic acid and its amino acid conjugates, linking it to auxin synthesis and plant defense responses.

Specific decorations of 17-hydroxygeranyllinalool diterpene glycosides solve the autotoxicity problem of chemical defense in Nicotiana attenuata

The paper identifies UGT enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of HGL-DTGs in Nicotiana attenuata and shows that glucosylation prevents autotoxicity while enhancing defense against herbivores.

Predation drives specialized host plant associations in preadapted milkweed bugs (Heteroptera: Lygaeinae)

The paper shows that predation pressure drives host plant specialization in milkweed bugs by selecting for toxin sequestration abilities, even when new toxins are not exploited.

Information theory tests critical predictions of plant defense theory for specialized metabolism

The paper uses information theory to test predictions of plant defense theories by analyzing metabolomes across scales in Nicotiana attenuata and related species.

Determining the scale at which variation in WUE traits changes population yields

The paper investigates the scale at which variation in water-use efficiency (WUE) traits affects population yields, finding that effects occur at the population scale rather than the neighbor scale.