Gross Lab.
at BOKU University Vienna
Where we explore how environmental stresses
regulate autophagy.
About the Lab.
Our Research Focus
In order to survive under harsh and changing environmental conditions organisms rely on rapid cellular reprogramming processes.
Autophagy is a quality control mechanism, crucial for the cellular stress-response. Autophagy selectively targets and degrades a vast range of cargo (metabolites, proteins, organelles, even pathogens), thereby mobilizing resources fueling cellular reprogramming.
Upon environmental stress, plants activate autophagy to rebalance their cellular metabolome and proteome. However, how autophagy is induced under different and complex stress conditions remains elusive.
Here we explore how at a cellular level plants sense and translate diverse environmental cues—including abiotic stresses such as heat-, salt-, osmotic-, and light-stress, as well as biotic stresses like pathogen infection—into adaptive autophagic responses, both canonical and non-canonical. How cells adapt the autophagic cargo composition to the respective stress conditions. And how this supports plant physiology and ultimately survival.
Figures adapted from Gross et al. 2025, Annual Review in Plant Biology
The Team.
We are regularly looking for enthusiastic and motivated students, PhD candidates and Postdocs to join our team.
You have a strong biochemistry and molecular biology background? You are interested in exploring molecular mechanisms of protein interactions in the regulation of autophagy initiation.
Please contact: angelina.gross@boku.ac.at
Angelina S. Gross
Principal Investigator
Starting my own lab is both thrilling and humbling! As a young group leader, I’m taking on the challenge of unraveling how plants adapt to stress at the molecular level, with a focus on autophagy and its role in resilience. I’m motivated to build a vibrant, collaborative team driven by curiosity, creativity, and a shared passion to explore the frontiers of plant science together. If not in the lab, I love to spend time with my family and friends in nature. Some mountain view, ice cold lakes and a box full of snacks will make me happy.
Foto: Luiza Puiu
Jose Julián
Principal Investigator
Hi! I'm a principal investigator working independently with the support of an FWF ESPRIT fellowship. My research dives into a non-canonical autophagy pathway—vacuole membrane ATG8ylation—that helps plants cope with osmotic stress and pathogen infections. It's all about how cells protect themselves when things get tough. When I'm not studying vacuoles and stress responses, you'll probably find me near the water or deep into a board game. I’m passionate about microscopy, but I also believe science should be a little fun and a lot human.
Foto: Luiza Puiu
Maria Widera
Bachelor Internship
I’m currently completing my BSc in Life Sciences with a specialization in Molecular Plant Biology, and I’m excited to finally apply my knowledge and skills in a hands-on setting. I’m especially eager to begin my professional journey with a young, ambitious research group where I can grow and contribute to the research from scratch. My motivation lies in helping plants better withstand human impact and changing environmental conditions. I have high hopes that uncovering the mechanisms behind stress responses will be key to achieving this.
Outside the lab, I enjoy unwinding through outdoor sports, traveling, and exploring different cultures
Malak Haddad
Master Student
Hello! I recently started my Master’s in Molecular Biology and joined Angelina’s team. Working here has been such an enriching experience, it’s refreshing to be part of an open and supportive environment where I can ask any question without hesitation, yet also feel trusted to work
independently. I’m really looking forward to exploring more of the molecular aspects of plant biology, learning about autophagy, and developing my skills in this exciting field. It’s truly inspiring to see the lab grow and evolve from its very beginning and to be part of this
unique journey.
When I’m not in the lab or studying at university, I’m probably spending time with friends or swimming somewhere. If it’s cold, though, I’m most likely relaxing at home with some good food and music.
Gautier Langin
Postdoc
We are very happy Gautier recently joined our Lab on a MSCA Postdoc Fellowship.
Gautier will develop tools to study mechanisms of autophagy initiation in salt-stressed plants.
Stay tuned for more!
Valdemar Kjerulff
PhD
Hi there! I am in the early stages of my PhD project, funded by the FWF, studying the role of autophagy in mitochondrial homeostasis. I'm really excited about having the opportunity to use my background in molecular biology to study the inner works of plant and yeast cells and contribute to our understanding of autophagy and stress responses in eukaryotes.
The Gross lab is an open and supportive work environment with helpful, fun colleagues and space for exploring your own ideas, and I'm very glad to be working here.
When I'm not reading papers or cultivating yeast in the lab, I'm likely climbing, hiking or fermenting food in the kitchen.
Aline Martins Hoepers
Master Student
Hi! I am a master’s student in the Erasmus Mundus Master's Program, and I joined Angelina’s lab to complete my master’s thesis. I have always been passionate about science and molecular biology techniques. Now, as I study and learn new methods to better understand autophagy, including the mechanisms involved and the many mysteries that remain, I feel like I’m entering an exciting new chapter of my life!
When I’m not in the lab, you can probably find me reading a good book over a good cup of coffee, planning a new trip, or simply enjoying the beautiful city of Vienna!
Maybe you?
PhD or Postdoc
News
We are thrilled to announce that our Postdoc Gautier Langin has been awarded the prestigious and highly competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoc Fellowship (MSCA).
With his project 'SALTS' Gautier will develop tools to analyze autophagy initiation in salt-stressed Arabidopsis thaliana.
Image: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/
actions/postdoctoral-fellowships
Publications.
Discover Our Latest Findings
2025
A.S.Gross, M. Raffeiner, Y. Zeng, S. Üstün, Y. Dagdas, Autophagy in plant health and disease, Annual Review of Plant Biology, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-060324-094912
Julian J, Gao P, Del Chiaro A, De La Concepcion JC, Armengot L, Somssich M, Duverge H, Clavel M, Grujic N, Kobylinska R, Polivka I, Besten M, Andersen TG, Dank C, Korbei B, Bachmair A, Coll NS, Minina EA, Sprakel J, Dagdas Y. ATG8ylation of vacuolar membrane protects plants against cell wall damage. Nature Plants, 11: 321–339.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-01907-z
2024
A.S. Gross, R. Ghillebert, M. Schuetter, E. Reinartz, A. Rowland, B. Bishop, M. Stumpe, J. Dengjel and M. Graef, A metabolite sensor subunit of the Atg1/ULK complex regulates selective autophagy, Nature Cell Biology, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-024-01348-4
2020
A.S. Gross and M. Graef, Stress eating: Autophagy targets nuclear pore complexes, Journal of Cell Biology 219 (7), https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202006007
A.S. Gross and M. Graef, Mechanisms of autophagy in metabolic stress response, Journal of Molecular Biology 432 (1), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2019.09.005
2019
A.S. Gross, A. Zimmermann, T. Pendl, S. Schroeder, H. Schoenlechner, [...]T. Eisenberg, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1-dependent lipogenesis promotes autophagy downstream of AMPK, Journal of Biological Chemistry 294 (32), https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.ra118.007020
G. Farrugia, M. Azzopardi, C. Saliba, G. Grech, A.S. Gross, J. Pistolic, V. Benes, N. Vassallo, J. Borg, F. Madeo, T. Eisenberg, R. Balzan, Apsirin impairs acetyl-coenzyme A metabolism in redox-compromised yeast cells, Nature Scientific Reports 9 (1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39489-4
2017
T. Eisenberg, M. Abdellatif, A. Zimmermann, S. Schroeder, T. Pendl, A. Harger, S. Stekovic, J. Schipke, C. Magnes, A. Schmidt, C. Ruckenstuhl, C. Dammbrueck, A.S. Gross, V. Herbst, D. Carmona-Gutierrez, F. Pietrocola, T. Rieber, S.J. Sigrist, W. A. Linke, C. Muehlfeld, J. Sadoshima, J. Dengjel, S. Kiechl, G. Kroemer, S. Sedej, F. Madeo, Dietary spermidine for lowering high blood pressure, Autophagy 13 (4), https://doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2017.1280225
2016
T. Eisenberg, M. Abdellatif, S. Schroeder, U. Primessnig, S. Stekovic, T. Pendl, A. Harger. J. Schipke, A. Zimmermann, A. Schmidt, M. Tong, C. Ruckenstuhl, C. Dammbrueck, A.S. Gross, [...]F. Madeo, Cardioprotection and lifespan extension by the natural polyamine spermidine, Nature Medicine 22 (12), https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4222
Address
BOKU University
Institute of Molecular Plant Biology
Armin-Szilvinyi-Haus
Muthgasse 18
1190 Vienna - Austria
