• 3D structure and action mechanism of the phytochrome molecule, particularly Cph1 phytochrome from Synechocystis using molecular genetics, biochemistry, spectroscopy, X-ray crysatllography and NMR
• Phytochrome signaling in higher and lower plants
• Molecular genetics in Physcomitrella and Arabidopsis
  

 Hello! I'm Jon Hughes, Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Giessen. I was born near Cardiff in the UK, studying at at London University, way back in the seventies when punk was young, and gained my PhD at Nottingham University in 1983. After that I was a postdoc in Germany for four years, funded by the Royal Society in Freiburg and the EU in Bochum. I did a further postdoc in the USA at the University of Georgia at Athens before returning to Berlin in 1990 just after the Wall was opened, working at the Free University and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics. I habilitated in 1998 and came to Giessen in 2000.

My main research interests are in plant molecular genetics and photobiology - particularly phytochrome, a photoreceptor plants use to perceive their light environment. We focus on the phytochrome systems not only in higher plants (particularly Arabidopsis) but also in lower plants (particularly the moss Physcomitrella) as well as that in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis. For this we combine a wide range of physiological, genetic, biochemical and biophysical methods, using E. coli and yeast to do most of the work. Our current research is summarised in "Projects" below - see also the homepages of other labs in the Department.

We are always keen to welcome new people into the lab at all levels. Naturally, we offer a variety of BSc and MSc teaching modules (laboratory courses, seminars and lectures bundled coherently) and have a range of interesting projects involving cell biology, developmental biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry and biophysics just waiting for enthusiastic students. Moreover, you'll see from our publication list that our research is successful. This means, amongst other things, that we are well funded, attracting nearly €2 million grant money in the last 5 years alone. Still not convinced?! Then why not come and visit us? Just phone or send me an e-mail: I'd like to hear from you and would be happy to show you around the Department.