Michael Reichelt
Papers
1
Total Citations
109
H-Index
1
About
Michael Reichelt is a leading plant biologist whose research illuminates the sophisticated chemical defenses plants deploy against herbivores. His work centers on plant-insect interactions, secondary metabolism, and the signaling pathways that govern induced resistance. Reichelt’s most impactful contribution is his 2015 study on GABA accumulation in plants, which demonstrated that this non-proteinogenic amino acid acts as a direct, systemic defense response to insect herbivory—independent of the well-known jasmonate pathway. This seminal paper, with 109 citations, reshaped our understanding of how plants deploy GABA as a defensive compound, distinct from its roles in abiotic stress or as a neurotransmitter in animals. Reichelt’s research has clarified the specificity of plant wound signaling, revealing that herbivore-elicited GABA buildup is a targeted, systemic reaction. His work has profound implications for sustainable agriculture, offering potential strategies for engineering crops with enhanced resistance. Through meticulous chemical ecology and molecular analysis, Reichelt continues to unravel the complex language of plant defense, making him a pivotal figure in the field.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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