Prof. Dr. Jörg-Peter Schnitzler

Education and Personnel Career

Study of biology at the Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Germany; in 1992 Ph.D in plant physiology – plant pathology; 1992-1994 Post doctoral fellow at the Institute for Biochemical Plant Pathology at the GSF-Research Centre, Neuherberg, Germany; since 1994 at IMK-IFU; 2003 Habilitation in ‘Tree Physiology’ at the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany  

Research Interests

1. Impact of environmental factors on biosphere – atmosphere exchange of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC)
2. Biosynthesis and molecular regulation of emission of volatile terpenes (i.e. isoprene and monoterpenes) from plants
3. Elucidation of biological and ecosystemic functions of BVOC
4. Metagenomic analysis of microorganisms responsible for N-cycling N-trace gas emissions in soils and phyllosphere

Projects

• EU-MC-RTN ISONET: ‘Ecological and physiological functions of biogenic isoprenoids and their impact on the environment’; http://imk-ifu.fzk.de/isonet
• DFG-Forschergruppe: ‘Poplar – a model to address tree-specific questions’; subproject ‘Identification of physiological functions of isoprene’; http://www.pappelgruppe.uni-goettingen.de/home/index_EN.html
• HFSP: ‘A novel, process-based approach to model plant BVOC emissions’; http://www.hfsp.org/awardees/AwardsLatest.php
• BMBF: "Nachhaltige PROduktion von BIOmasse mit Kurzumtriebsplantagen der PAppel auf Marginalstandorten (PRO-BIOPA)"

Lectures

Seminars with practical exercises in ‘Tree Stress Physiology’ and ‘Field Methods of Tree Physiology’ at the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences of the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany  

List of Publications with Links

2010

Köksal M, Zimmer I, Schnitzler JP, Christianson DW (2010) Structure of isoprene synthase illuminates the mechanism of teragram atmospheric carbon emission. Journal of Molecular Biology, doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.07.009

Janz D, Behnke K, Schnitzler JP, Kanavati B, Schmitt-Kopplin P,Polle A (2010) Pathway analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of salt sensitive and tolerant poplar species reveals evolutionary adaptation of stress tolerance. BMC Plant Biology, doi: 10.1186/1471-2229-10-150

Behnke K, Kaiser A, Zimmer I, Brüggemann N, Janz D, Polle A, Hampp R, Hänsch R, Popko J, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Ehlting B, Rennenberg H, Barta C, Loreto F, Schnitzler JP (2010) RNAi-mediated suppression of isoprene emission in poplar transiently impacts phenolic metabolism under high temperature and high light intensities: a transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. Plant Molecular Biology, doi: 10.1007(s11103-010-9654-z.

Herschbach C, Teuber M, Eiblmeier M, Ehlting B, Ache P, Polle A, Schnitzler JP, Rennenberg H (2010) Changes in sulphur metabolism of grey poplar (Populus x canescens) leaves during salt stress: a metabolic link to photorespiration. Tree Physiology, doi: 10.1093/treephys/tpq041.

Ghirardo A, Zimmer I, Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (2010) Analysis of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase activity in poplar leaves with isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Phytochemistry 71, 918-922.

Behnke K, Loivamäki M, Zimmer I, Rennenberg H, Schnitzler JP, Louis S (2010) Isoprene emission protects photosynthesis in sunfleck exposed Grey poplar. Photosynthesis Research 104, 5-17.

Loreto F, Schnitzler JP (2010) Abiotic stresses and induced BVOCs. Trends in Plant Science 15, 154-166.

Ghirardo A, Koch K, Taipale R, Zimmer I, Schnitzler JP, Rinne J (2010) Determination of de novo and pool emissions of terpenes in four common boreal/alpine trees by means of ¹³CO₂ labeling and PTR-MS analysis. Plant Cell and Environment 33, 781-792.

Noe SM, Niinemets Ü, Schnitzler JP (2010) Modeling the temporal dynamics of monoterpene emission by isotopic labeling in Quercus ilex leaves. Atmospheric Environment 44, 392-399.

Schnitzler JP, Louis S, Behnke K, Loivamäki M (2010) Poplar volatiles - biosynthesis, regulation and (eco)physiology of isoprene and stress-induced isoprenoids. Plant Biology 12, 302-316.

2009

Keppler F, Boros M, Frankenberg C, Lelieveld J, McLeod A, Pirttilä AM, Röckmann T, Schnitzler JP (2009) Methane formation in aerobic environments. Environmental Chemistry 6, 459-465.

Arend M, Schnitzler JP, Ehlting B, Hänsch R, Lange T, Rennenberg H, Himmelbach A, Christmann A, Grill E, Fromm J (2009) Expression of the Arabidopsis mutant abi1 gene alters ABA sensitivity, stomatal development and growth morphology in Grey poplars (Populus x canescens (Ait.) Sm.). Plant Physiology 151, 2110-2119.

Holst J, Butterbach-Bahl K, Liu C, Zheng X, Kaiser AJ, Schnitzler JP, Zechmeister-Boltenstern S, Brüggemann N (2009) Dinitrogen fixation by biological soil crusts in an Inner Mongolian steppe. Biology and Fertility of Soils 45, 679–690.

Brüggemann, N, Meier R, Steigner D, Zimmer I, Louis S, Schnitzler JP (2009) Non-microbial aerobic methane emission from poplar shoot cultures under low-light conditions. New Phytologist 182, 912-918.

Lavoir AV, Staudt M, Schnitzler JP, Landais D, Massol F, Rocheteau A, Rodriguez R, Zimmer I, Rambal S (2010) Drought reduced monoterpene emissions from Quercus ilex trees: results from a throughfall displacement experiment within a forest ecosystem. Biogeosciences 6, 863-893.

Behnke K, Kleist E, Uerlings R, Wildt J, Rennenberg H, Schnitzler JP (2009) RNAi mediated suppression of isoprene biosynthesis impacts ozone tolerance. Tree Physiology 29, 725-736.

Grote R, Lavoir AV, Rambal S, Staudt M, Zimmer I, Schnitzler JP (2009) Modelling the drought impact on monoterpene fluxes from an evergreen Mediterranean forest canopy. Oecologia 160, 213-223.

Cinege G, Louis S, Hänsch R, Schnitzler JP (2008) Regulation of isoprene synthase promoter by environmental and internal factors. Plant Molecular Biology 69, 593-604.

Escalante-Pérez, M, Lautner, S, Nehls U, Selle A, Teuber M, Schnitzler JP, Teichmann T, Fayyaz P, Hartung W, Polle A, Fromm J, Hedrich R, Ache P (2008) Salt stress affects xylem differentiation of grey poplar (Populus x canescens). Planta 229, 299-309.

2008

 Fortunati A, Barta C, Brilli F, Centritto M, Zimmer I, Schnitzler JP, Loreto F. Isoprene emission is not temperature-dependent during and after severe drought-stress: a physiological and biochemical analysis.The Plant Journal 55, 687-697.
Loreto F, Kesselmeier J, Schnitzler JP (2008) Volatile organic compounds in the biosphere-atmosphere system: a preface. Plant Biology 10, 2-7.

Teuber M, Zimmer I, Kreuzwieser J, Ache P, Polle A, Rennenberg H, Schnitzler JP (2008) VOC emission of Grey poplar leaves as affected by salt stress and different N sources. Plant Biology 10, 86-96.

2007

Behnke  K, Ehlting B, Teuber M., Bauerfeind M., Louis S, Hänsch R, Polle A, Bohlmann J, Schnitzler JP (2007) Transgenic, non-isoprene emitting poplars don’t like it hot. The Plant Journal 51, 485-499.

Dluzniewska P, Gessler A, Dietrich H, Schnitzler JP, Teuber M, Rennenberg H (2007)  Nitrogen uptake and metabolism in Populus x canescens as affected by salinity. New Phythologist 173 279-293.

Ehlting B, Dluzniewska P, Dietrich H, Selle A, Teuber M, Hänsch R, Nehls U, Polle A, Schnitzler JP, Rennenberg H, Gessler A. (2007) Interaction of nitrogen nutrition and salinity in grey poplar (Populus tremula x alba). Plant Cell and Environment, 30, 796-811.
Loivamäki M, Gilmer F, Fischbach RJ, Sörgel C, Bachl A, Walter A, Schnitzler JP (2007) Arabidopsis, a model to study biological functions of isoprene? Plant Physiology 144, 1066-1078.

Loivamäki M, Louis S, Cinege G, Zimmer I, Fischbach RJ, Schnitzler JP (2007) Circadian rhythms of isoprene biosynthesis in Grey poplar leaves. Plant Physiology 143, 540-551.

2006

Grote R, Mayrhofer S, Fischbach RJ, Steinbrecher R, Staudt M, Schnitzler JP (2006) Process-based modelling of isoprenoid emissions from evergreen leaves of Quercus ilex (L.). Atmospheric Environment, 40 S152-S165.

Magel E, Mayrhofer S, Müller A, Zimmer I, Hampp R, Schnitzler JP (2006) Determination of the role of products of photosynthesis in substrate supply of isoprenoid biosynthesis in poplar leaves. Atmospheric Environment 40, S138-S151.

Tholl D, Boland W, Hansel A, Loreto F, Röse USR, Schnitzler JP (2006) Practical approaches to plant volatile analysis. The Plant Journal 45, 540-560.

2005

Mayrhofer S, Teuber M, Zimmer I, Louis S, Fischbach RJ, Schnitzler JP (2005) Diurnal and seasonal variation of isoprene biosynthesis-related genes in Populus x canescens leaves. Plant Physiology 139, 474-484.

Schnitzler JP, Zimmer I, Bachl A, Arend M, Fromm J, Fischbach RJ (2005) Biochemical properties of isoprene synthase from poplar (Populus x canescens). Planta 222 777-786.

2004

Graus M, Schnitzler JP, Hansel A, Cojocariu C, Rennenberg H, Wisthaler A, Kreuzwieser J (2004) Transient release of oxygenated VOC during light-dark transitions. Plant Physiology 135, 1967-1975.

Mayrhofer S, Heizmann U, Magel E, Eiblmeier M, Müller, A, Rennenberg H, Hampp R, Schnitzler JP, Kreuzwieser J (2004) Carbon balance in the leaves of young poplar trees. Plant Biology 6, 730-745.

Schnitzler JP, Steinbrecher R, Zimmer I, Steigner D, Fladung M (2004) Hybridisation of European oaks (Quercus ilex x Q. robur) results in a mixed isoprenoid emitter type. Plant Cell and Environment 27, 585-593.

Schnitzler JP, Graus M, Kreuzwieser J, Heizmann U, Rennenberg H, Wisthaler A, Hansel A (2004) Contribution of different carbon sources to isoprene biosynthesis in poplar leaves. Plant Physiology 135, 152-160.

Scholefield PA, Kieron J. Doick K-J, Herbert B, Hewitt CNS, Schnitzler JP, Pinelli P, Loreto F (2004) Impact of rising CO2 on VOC emissions: isoprene emission from Phragmites australis growing at elevated CO2 in a natural carbon dioxide spring. Plant Cell and Environment 27, 381-392.

2003

Kirchgeßler H-P, Reichert K, Hauff K, Steinbrecher R, Schnitzler JP, Pfündel EE (2003) Light and temperature, but not UV radiation, affect chlorophylls and carotenoids in Norway spruce needles (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Plant Cell and Environment 26, 1169-1179.

Opitz S, Schnitzler JP, Hause B, Schneider B. (2003) Histochemical analysis of phenylphenalenone-related compounds in Xiphidium caeruleum (Haemodoraceae). Planta 216, 881-889.

Zimmer W, Steinbrecher R, Körner C, Schnitzler JP (2003) The recently developed process-based model SIM-BIM realistically predicts isoprene emissions from adult Quercus petraea forest trees. Atmospheric Environment 37, 1665-1671.

2002

Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (2002) Diurnal variation of dimethylallyl diphosphate concentrations in oak (Quercus robur L.) leaves. Physiologia Plantarum 115, 190-196.

Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (2002) Relationship between IDP isomerase activity and isoprene emission of oak leaves. Tree Physiology 22, 1011-1018.

Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (2002) Comparison of isoprene emission, intercellular isoprene concentration and photosynthetic performance in water-limited oak (Quercus pubescens Willd. and Quercus robur L.) saplings. Plant Biology 4, 456-463.

Fischbach RJ, Staudt M, Zimmer I, Rambal S, Schnitzler JP (2002) Seasonal pattern of monoterpene synthase activities in leaves of the evergreen tree Quercus ilex L.. Physiologia Plantarum 114, 354-360.

Kreuzwieser J, Graus M, Wisthaler A, Hansel A, Rennenberg H, Schnitzler JP (2002) Xylem-transported glucose as additional carbon source for leaf isoprene formation in Quercus robur. New Phytologist 156, 171-178.

Rennenberg H, Schnitzler JP (2002) VOCs - helping trees withstand global change? New Phytologist 155(2), 197-198.

Schnitzler JP (2002) Die Bedeutung von Isoprensynthase und Monoterpensynthasen für die Isopren- und Monoterpenemission von laubwerfenden und immergrünen Eichen. 'The importance of isoprene synthase and monoterpene synthases for the emission of isoprene and monoterpenes in deciduous and evergreen oaks'. Habilitationsschrift, Fakultät für Forst- und Umweltwissenschaften der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Schnitzler, JP, Bauknecht N, Brüggemann N, Einig W, Forkel R, Hampp R, Heiden AC, Heizmann U, Hoffmann T, Holzke C, Jaeger L, Klauer M, Komenda M, Koppmann R, Kreuzwieser J, Mayer H, Rennenberg H, Smiatek G, Steinbrecher R, Wildt J, Zimmer W (2002) Emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds: An overview of field, laboratory and modelling studies performed during the 'Tropospheric Research Program' (TFS) 1997 - 2000. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 42(1), 159-177.

2001

Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (2001) Influence of powdery mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides) on isoprene biosynthesis and emission of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) leaves. Journal of Applied Botany 75, 91-96.

Fischbach RJ, Zimmer W, Schnitzler JP (2001) Isolation and functional analysis of a cDNA encoding a myrcene synthase of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.). European Journal of Biochemistry 268, 5633-5638.

Heizmann U, Kreuzwieser J, Schnitzler JP, Brüggemann N, Rennenberg H (2001) Assimilate transport in the xylem sap of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) saplings. Plant Biology 3, 132-138.

Lehning A, Zimmer W, Zimmer I, Schnitzler JP (2001) Modeling of annual variations of oak (Quercus robur L.) isoprene synthase activity to predict isoprene emission rates. Journal of Geophysical Research 106, 3157-3166.

Loreto F, Fischbach RJ, Schnitzler JP, Ciccioli P, Brancaleoni E, Calfapietra C, Seufert G (2001) Monoterpene emission and monoterpene synthase activities in the Mediterranean evergreen oak Quercus ilex L. grown at elevated CO2 concentrations. Global Change Biology 7, 709-717.

2000

Fischbach RJ, Zimmer I, Steinbrecher R, Pfichner A, Schnitzler JP (2000) Monoterpene synthase activities in leaves of Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Quercus ilex L.. Phytochemistry 54, 257-265.

Zimmer W, Brüggemann N, Emeis S, Giersch C, Lehning A, Steinbrecher R, Schnitzler JP. (2000) Process-based modelling of isoprene emission by oaks. Plant Cell and Environment 23, 585-597.

Zinser C, Jungblut T, Heller W, Seidlitz HK, Schnitzler JP, Ernst D, Sandermann Jr H (2000) The effect of UV-B radiation on molecular responses of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings to ozone in a simulated alpine climate. Plant Cell and Environment 23, 975-982.

1999

Fischbach RJ, Kossmann B, Panten H, Steinbrecher R, Heller W, Seidlitz HK, Sandermann H, Hertkorn N, Schnitzler JP (1999) Seasonal accumulation of ultraviolet-B screening pigments in needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Plant Cell and Environment 22, 27-37.

Lehning A, Zimmer I, Steinbrecher R, Brüggemann N, Schnitzler JP (1999) Isoprene synthase activity and its relation to isoprene emission in Quercus robur L. leaves. Plant Cell and Environment 22, 495-504.

Kreuzwieser J, Schnitzler JP, Steinbrecher R (1999) Biosynthesis of organic compounds emitted by plants. Plant Biology 1, 149-159.

Schnitzler JP, Langebartels C, Heller W, Lippert M, Liu J, Döhring T, Bahnweg G, Sandermann Jr H (1999) Ameliorating effect of UV-B radiation on the response of Norway spruce and Scots pine to ambient ozone concentrations. Global Change Biology 5, 83-94.

1998

Baumbusch LO, Eiblmeier M, Schnitzler JP, Heller W, Sandermann Jr H, Polle A (1998) Interactive effects of ozone and low UV-B radiation on antioxidants in spruce (Picea abies) and pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles. Physiologia Plantarum 104, 248-254.

Hutzler P, Fischbach RJ, Heller W, Jungblut TP, Reuber S, Schmitz R, Veit M, Weissenböck G, Schnitzler JP (1998) Tissue localization of phenolic compounds in plants by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Journal of Experimental Botany 49, 953-965.

1997

Schnitzler JP, Jungblut TP, Feicht C, Köfferlein M, Langebartels C, Heller W, Sandermann Jr H (1997) UV-B induction of flavonoid biosynthesis in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings. Trees 11, 162-168.

Schnitzler JP, Lehning A, Steinbrecher R (1997) Seasonal pattern of isoprene synthase activity in Quercus robur leaves and its impact on modeling of isoprene emission rates. Botanica Acta 110, 240-243.

1996

Beckert C, Horn C, Schnitzler JP, Lehning A, Heller W, Veit M (1996) Styrylpyrone biosynthesis in Equisetum arvense. Phytochemistry 44, 275-283.

Schnitzler JP, Jungblut TP, Heller W, Hutzler P, Heinzmann U, Schmelzer E, Ernst D, Langebartels C, Sandermann Jr H (1996) Tissue localisation of UV-B screening pigments and chalcone synthase mRNA in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles. New Phytologist 132, 247-258.

Panten H, Schnitzler JP, Steinbrecher R (1996) UV-B Wirkung bei Pflanzen. Naturwissenschaftliche Rundschau 49(9), 343-348.

Schnitzler JP, Arenz R, Steinbrecher R, Lehning A (1996) Characterization of an isoprene synthase from leaves of Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.. Botanica Acta 109, 216-221.

1995

Jungblut TP, Schnitzler JP, Hertkorn N, Metzger J, Heller W, Sandermann Jr H (1995) Structures of UV-B induced sunscreen pigments of the Scots pine. Angewandte Chemie Int. Edition English 34, 312-314.

1993

Bach M, Schnitzler JP, Seitz HU (1993) Elicitor-induced changes in Ca2+ influx, K+ efflux, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid synthesis in protoplasts of Daucus carota L.. Plant Physiology 103, 407-412.

1992

Schnitzler JP, Madlung J, Rose A, Seitz HU (1992) Biosynthesis of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in elicitor-treated carrot cell cultures. Planta 188, 594-600.

1991

Gleitz J, Schnitzler JP, Steimle DE, Seitz HU (1991) Metabolic changes in carrot cells in response to simultaneous treatment with ultraviolet light and a fungal elicitor. Planta 184, 362-367.

1989

Schnitzler JP, Seitz HU (1989) Rapid responses of cultured cells and protoplasts to an elicitor from the cell wall of Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp.. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 44c, 1020-1028.