The team of The Obermeyer Lab is working on the role of ion and water transport during the fertilization process of plants. Even during short drought periods, the  growth of pollen tubes through the stigma tissue is disturbed, leading to an abortion of fertilization and thus, gives low crop yield. As these drought periods occur more often due to the global climate change, the understanding about the molecular mechanisms of plant fertilization become important to secure the food and feed for humans and animals.

We use biophysical and biochemical techniques to measure and quantify the pollen's ability to regulate its water potential either adapting the turgor pressure or internal osmolyte concentration to react to drought situations.