Phycotoxins

  • Bioassay-guided fractionation to chemically characterise secondary metabolites
  • Analytical techniques to identify & quantify secondary metabolites
  • Biosensors to clarify mode of action and specific receptors

Environmental signals that mediate interactions between organisms often consist of chemical compounds called infochemicals or allelochemical compounds. As these allelochemicals are not necessary for the physical survival, they do not belong to the primary metabolites but may be produced in minute quantities and can be very effective. Chromatographic techniques combined with sensitive physical detection methods as tandem mass spectrometry and bioassay driven fractionation are powerful tools to identify, purify and isolate unknown, biologically active compounds.

Contact:
Dr. Bernd Krock