Dr. rer. nat. Nicole Vagt
SpaceLife Doctoral Candidate 2009 - 2010

Dr. rer. nat. Nicole Vagt

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)

German Aerospace Center

Vagt N (2010) Gravity-sensing processes and gravity-dependent gene expression in plants studied under altered gravity conditions. PhD Thesis (Dr. rer. nat.), Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

Key data during active SpaceLife membership:

Research Field:

Gravitational Biology - Plant Physiology

Topic:

Molecular analyses of gravitropism related signalling pathways in unicellular and multicellular plant model systems

DLR Supervisor:

PD Dr. Ruth Hemmersbach

University Supervisor:

PD Dr. Markus Braun, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Education:

• 2010: PhD Thesis (Dr. rer. nat.), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• 2007: Diploma in Biology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
• 2007: Beginning of PhD work in Natural Sciences (Botany), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

Professional Experience:

• 2005 – 2007: Student assistant at the University of Bonn, Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants (IMBIO), Gravitational Biology Group
• 2007 – 2008: Scientific assistant at the University of Bonn, IMBIO, Gravitational Biology Group
• 2008 - 2010: Research scientist at the University of Bonn, IMBIO, Gravitational Biology Group

Space Related Activities:

Parabolic Plane Flight and Sounding Rocket experiments:

• 2005-2006: 7th DLR, 8th DLR, 9th DLR and 42nd ESA Parabolic Plane Flight Campaign. Characterization of gravity sensing mechanisms in plants.
• 2006: 43rd TEXUS Sounding rocket experiment. Mapping cytoskeletal forces underlying the gravisensing mechanisms in Characean rhizoids and protonemata.
• 2007: 10th DLR parabolic flight campaign. Co-Investigator: Molecular analysis of gravitropism-related signalling pathways in plants.
• 2009: 13th DLR parabolic flight campaign. Principal Investigator: Impact of microgravity on the positioning of sedimented statoliths of gravity-sensing cells of higher plants in parabolic flights.