Dietrich Ober

Dietrich Ober is a Professor at Kiel University, affiliated with the Institute of Botany within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He leads the Research Group Biochemical Ecology and Molecular Evolution and also serves as Head of the Botanical Garden Kiel. His research integrates molecular biology, biochemistry, and evolutionary analysis to understand plant secondary metabolism, particularly focusing on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their ecological roles.

His research interests center around the evolution of metabolic pathways in plants, especially how gene duplication leads to novel enzymatic functions in alkaloid biosynthesis. Using model systems such as Jacobaea vulgaris, Crotalaria, and Convolvulaceae species like morning glories, he investigates the genetic basis of chemical defense mechanisms in plants. His work explores how plants evolve new traits through mutations and gene duplications to survive herbivore pressure, exemplifying the 'plant-herbivore arms race.'

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in evolutionary biochemistry, particularly in enzyme evolution, gene duplication dynamics, and plant-microbe interactions. Studies focus on key enzymes like homospermidine synthase (HSS) and putrescine-N-methyltransferase (PMT), analyzing their evolutionary trajectories and functional divergence. Methodologically, the research combines phylogenetics, heterologous protein expression, activity assays, and genomic analyses.

Dietrich Ober actively supervises student research and offers bachelor’s and master’s thesis projects related to protein evolution and secondary metabolism. His group collaborates closely with Dr. Elisabeth Kaltenegger and is supported by resources from the Botanic Gardens Kiel. Though no specific awards are listed, his publication record in top journals such as PNAS, Plant Cell, and Trends in Plant Science reflects significant scientific impact.

The research environment emphasizes training young scientists in diverse techniques including DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, cloning, protein purification, and bioinformatics. The group fosters interdisciplinary understanding by studying complex biological systems involving plants, insects, fungi, and bacteria.