Research focus
On development and optimization of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (UHPLC-MS/MS) for studying auxins and other indole compounds in biological samples. Particular emphasis is placed on developing efficient sample preparation techniques, such as solid-phase extraction (SPE, both conventional and miniaturized “in-tip” versions) and/or immunoaffinity extraction (based on polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies). The combination of these methods enables the analysis of the auxin metabolome in various complex plant matrices.
Miniaturized isolation protocols, the high specificity of immunoaffinity purification, and the advanced sensitivity of instrumentation allow for the determination of auxin and its derivatives in samples as small as a few dozen root tips of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. The in vivo labeling method is also extensively used, which, in conjunction with mass spectrometry, provides a powerful tool for studying auxin metabolic pathways.
Recently, the group has been focusing on mapping the distribution of auxins within plant cells and studying intracellular auxin homeostasis. Significant effort is being devoted to developing protocols for cell fractionation and the isolation of cellular compartments.
Research leader
Team members
- Pavel Hladík
- Ludmila Včelařová
- Hana Bendová
- Andrea Novotná