The group is currently studying different aspects of the lipid metabolism of plants, algae, mosses and fungi. In this context we are primarily interested in the metabolism of structural lipids and lipid-derived signal transduction processes. For this purpose, we make use of both classical techniques as analytical chemistry and biochemistry as well as of modern approaches in the area of molecular genetics, including the generation of transgenic organisms („gain-of-function“) or mutants („loss-of-function“). Biochemistry and function of oxylipin metabolism: We are interested in physiological functions of lipid peroxidation processes. Thus we analyze the function of specific lipoxygenases, i.e. the role of their products, so-called oxylipins (oxygenated fatty acid derivatives), as signals or defence substances during biotic and abiotic stress. Lipid peroxidation reactions are analysed in general by metabolomic approaches. Other studies deal with the role of oxylipins in mosses and algae. In addition the catalytic mechanism of lipoxygenases and related dioxygenases is analysed.