Ute Höcker

Prof. Dr. Ute Höcker is a Professor at the Institute for Plant Sciences, University of Cologne. Her research focuses on plant molecular biology, particularly in the areas of light signaling, protein degradation, and chloroplast biogenesis. She leads a research group that investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying plant development and adaptation.

Her research interests include:

• Light-controlled development in Arabidopsis thaliana
• Role of photoreceptors and the COP1/SPA ubiquitin ligase in seedling deetiolation, anthocyanin accumulation, and flowering time regulation
• Evolutionary studies in charophyte algae and mosses
• Transcription factors in chloroplast differentiation
• Plant adaptation to environmental conditions

Her recent publications (2019-2023) predominantly explore light signaling pathways, protein degradation mechanisms, and chloroplast biogenesis across model plants including Arabidopsis and Physcomitrium patens. Key themes include the function of COP1/SPA complexes, cryptochrome interactions, and the regulation of photomorphogenesis.

Prof. Höcker is an active member of the CEPLAS (Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences) initiative, which focuses on plant performance for sustainability. Her lab is part of the Plant Metabolism and Metabolomics Facility and utilizes the Imaging Platform and CEPLAS Data resources. She has been involved in funded research, including the CEPLAS cluster (funding period 2013-2018 and ongoing).