Research focus

The focus of this research group is primarily derived from the qualitative and quantitative determination of cytokinins (plant growth regulators) as a tool to study the role of plant hormones in regulating developmental processes in plants. The second aim of this group is “plant hormonomics”—targeted profiling of six physiologically significant groups of plant hormones. Targeted metabolomics provides an optimal method for determining phytohormones in combination with miniaturized purification and highly sensitive detection based on mass spectrometry (MS) principles. The use of our procedures enables the quantification of plant hormones and their derivatives (over 100 compounds) at the tissue and cellular levels.

The main emphasis is on the development of new isolation methods using minimal amounts of plant material (1–10 mg) and the miniaturization of solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods. Additionally, the application of immunoaffinity chromatography using polyclonal/monoclonal antibodies provides efficiently purified samples with minimal plant matrix content and reduced interference from other compounds. The entire analytical process is finalized by employing the most advanced and sensitive detection methods via MS coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). For quantitative analyses, we use triple quadrupoles (QqQ), which are characterized by high sensitivity (<0.01 fmol) and wide linear dynamic ranges (up to five orders of magnitude in concentration). Qualitative analysis, primarily utilizing hybrid MS analyzers based on time-of-flight detection of accelerated ions (QqTOF), enables the identification of biologically active compounds based on measured MS/MS spectra (defined molecular ion fragmentation) and simultaneous precise mass measurements followed by the calculation of the elemental composition of the analyzed compound.

The knowledge gained from targeted hormonal profiling is already applicable today for understanding the physiological processes governing plant growth and development.

Research leades

Ondřej Novák

 

Team members

  • Lenka Plačková
  • Chao Zhang
  • Dominika Kaczorová
  • Jakub Lemberk
  • Ivan Petřík
  • Petra Amakorová
  • Hana Martinková
  • Michaela Mrvková