Profiles of early-career researchers at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
"Curious minds – What's yours?"
Doctoral student Finia Uecker is working on a DFG-funded project on chloroplasts at the Institute of Botany. She has made a significant contribution to plant science, published in the renowned journal Nature Communications: she developed an innovative “Optoswitch” that allows the formation of chloroplasts to be precisely controlled and observed. This technique enables, for the first time, detailed temporal and spatial studies of chloroplast development, opening up new perspectives for research into climate resilience and crop yield improvement. We wanted to find out more about her work.
Four questions for plant physiologist and doctoral researcher Finia Uecker from the Institute of Botany
Editorial team, Faculty of Natural Sciences: We’d like to know what you’re working on. Could you give us a brief description?
Finia Uecker: I investigate how plants build chloroplasts – the cell organelles where photosynthesis takes place. I work with a plant line that carries a defect in the chloroplast RNA polymerase, so the plants remain white and cannot develop functional chloroplasts. Using a light-controlled genetic switch, we can specifically compensate for this defect. This makes it possible to see during which developmental stages and in which tissues chloroplasts can form.
My daily work combines practical laboratory work and data analysis. I spend part of my time carrying out experiments – for example, working with plants or using molecular biology methods. Data evaluation, literature research, and planning new experiments are equally important. It’s precisely this mix that makes my work so diverse and rewarding.
Which methods are you using most often?
In recent months, I have mainly been working with an optogenetic light switch that we introduced into plants. This allows the function of the chloroplast RNA polymerase to be switched on or off depending on the colour of light, letting us observe how this affects chloroplast development. Such systems are particularly useful for distinguishing cause and effect in dynamic developmental processes.
One key finding was that chloroplast formation is closely linked to other developmental processes in the plant, such as leaf development. If the genetic light switch is activated early enough, chloroplasts can develop. But beyond a certain developmental stage, this effect no longer occurs.
What drives your scientific spirit, what do you hope to discover?
I’m fascinated that many processes in plant cells are still not fully understood. Doing research often feels like assembling a puzzle, where new pieces gradually fit together. The most exciting moments are when experiments suddenly provide a new piece and a connection becomes clear.
My path into research began during my studies in Plant Biotechnology at Leibniz University Hannover. There, I first had the opportunity to design and carry out my own experiments – and realised how exciting it is to gain new insights into fundamental plant processes through experimental work. It’s especially rewarding when an idea turns into an experiment that truly advances our understanding. Seeing that my work can contribute to a better grasp of fundamental plant mechanisms is a great motivation.
What do you need in your job today that you didn’t learn during your studies?
I learned the basics of laboratory work and scientific research during my studies. But in everyday research, organisation and long-term project planning are also essential. And research rarely happens alone – exchanging ideas with colleagues in the lab is crucial for discussing new approaches and developing experiments further.
Finia Uecker is currently completing her PhD at the Institute of Botany under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Thomas Pfannschmidt. She previously obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Plant Biotechnology at Leibniz University Hannover.
- Leibniz University Hannover on 25.02.2026: A synthetic light switch for photosynthesis
- Originalveröffentlichung: Finia Uecker, Frederik M. Ahrens, Tim Ruder, Thomas Pfannschmidt: A red/blue optoswitch for temporal control of chloroplast transcription and biogenesis in Arabidopsis, Nature Communications 2026, 17:1984
- Institute of Botany: Plant physiology group
- Study plant biotechnology in Hannover: Plant science degree programmes
The portrait series "Curious minds – What's yours?" introduces early-career researchers from our Faculty. Through a set of concise questions, it offers personal insights into the variety of current research. Following the idea of big questions and short answers, readers can discover not only the science itself – but also the people who pursue it with dedication and passion.
