Göttinger Graduiertenzentrum für Neurowissenschaften, Biophysik und Molekulare Biowissenschaften

Polle, Andrea, Prof. Dr.

Professor of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology


  • Biology (Diploma) University of Cologne
  • Dr. rer. nat., in the department of biophysics in the Faculty of Biology, Universität Osnabrück, 1986
  • Post-Doc in the SFB Membrane-bound transport processes, Universität Osnabrück (1986/87)
  • Post-Doc and leader of the stress group, Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (1988-92)
  • Scientist in the Institute for Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Universität, Freiburg (1992-96)
  • Habilitation for Ecophysiology and Tree Physiology Universität, Freiburg (1995)
  • Professor of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Georg August, Universität Göttingen, since 1996



Major Research Interests

Molecular Ecophysiology of Stress Adaptation in Trees
We investigate molecular and physiological responses of trees to stress and to globally changing environmental conditions. The major model is Populus, whose genome has been sequenced. Other tree species or Arabidopsis are also used as models. Molecular and physiological networks involved in defence responses (salt, heavy metals) and internal resource reallocation (nitrogen) are studied by expressional profiling and functional characterisation.

Biotic Interactions
Temperate forest tree species generally form symbiotic associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi, which provide water and nutrients to the trees and obtain in exchange carbohydrates for their own growth. Fungal diversity is investigated at the molecular level. Functional analysis employs stable isotope labelling and physiological studies in axenic fungus-plant systems.

Apoplast and Cell Walls
Abiotic stress factors as well as changing environmental conditions and interaction with biotic factors (symbiotic and pathogenic fungi) affect wood formation and technological properties. In signal transduction and final response (changes in wood anatomy and chemistry) the apopast is of central importance. We are particularly interested in apoplastic redox systems (antioxidants) and wall formation.

Homepage Department/Research Group

http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/67024.html



Selected Recent Publications


  • Allwright MR, Payne A, Emiliani G, Milner S, Viger M, Rouse F, Keurentjes JJB, Bérard A, Wildhagen H, FaivreRampant P, Polle A, Morgante M, Taylor G (2016) Biomass traits and candidate genes for bioenergy revealed through association genetics in coppiced European Populus nigra (L.). Biotechnology and Biofuels 9:195, DOI 10.1186/s13068-016-0603-1.
  • Ditengou FA, Müller A, Rosenkranz M, Felten J, Lasok H, Miloradovic van Doorn M, Legué V, Palme K, Schnitzler JP, Polle A (2015) Volatile signalling by sesquiterpenes from ectomycorrhizal fungi reprograms root architecture. Nature Communications 6: 6279.
  • Pena R, Polle A (2014) Attributing functions to ectomycorrhizal fungal identities in assemblages for nitrogen acquisition under stress. The ISME Journal 8: 321-330. doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.158.
  • • Müller A, Faubert P, Hagen M, zu Castell W, Polle A, Schnitzler JP, Rosenkranz M (2013) Volatile profiles of fungi – Chemotyping of species and ecological functions. Fungal Genetics and Biology 54: 25–33, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2013.02.005.
  • Janz D, Lautner S, Wildhagen H, Behnke K, Schnitzler JP, Rennenberg H, Fromm J, Polle A (2012) Salt stress induces the formation of a novel type of ’pressure wood’ in two Populus species. New Phytologist 194: 129–141, doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03975.x