Self-introduction：
Research in my group is centered on the molecular characterization of protein sorting and transport processes in the plant endomembrane system. In particular focus are: receptor-mediated sorting of soluble proteins, degradation of membrane proteins and biogenesis of intracellular compartments. Our research aims at exploiting cells to synthesize bioactive molecules. We explore strategies to implement artificial sorting receptors, to engineer vesicular transport processes and aim at the generation of novel functionalized compartments. For this, we combine molecular biology and biochemistry with light and electron microscopy and pioneer the use of nanobody fusion proteins for the non-invasive analysis and manipulation of cellular functions.

Research Interests：
◆ Receptor-mediated sorting of proteins
◆ Vesicle-mediated transport processes
◆ Biogenesis and aging of intracellular compartments

Professional Experience：
◆ Associate Professor, SUSTech-PKU Institute of Plant and Food Science (IPF), Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China, 2017-present
◆ Independent Research Group Leader, Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Germany, 2009-2017
◆ Research Group Leader, Heidelberger Institute for Plant Sciences (HIP), Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany, 2005-2009
◆ Postdoc researcher at the Center for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 2003-2005
◆ Marie Curie postdoctoral research fellow at the Center for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, United Kingdom, 2001-2003
◆ Research Assistant, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute for Plant Sciences, Georg August University Goettingen, Germany, 1999-2000

Educational Background：
◆ Dr. rerum naturalis / Ph.D. degree in Sciences, awarded summa cum laude, Georg August University Goettingen, Germany, 2001-05-03
◆ Diploma in Biology, subjects: Botany, Microbiology and Chemistry, Georg August University Goettingen, Germany, 1997-11-03

Honors & Awards：
◆ “Horst-Wiehe-Prize” of the German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG) for outstanding scientific work in the field of Botany. Freiburg, Germany, 2002
◆ Marie Curie Individual post-doctoral Fellowship of the European Union (EU), 2001

Selected Publication：
◆ Künzl, F., Früholz, S., Fäßler, F. Li, B. and Pimpl, P.* (2016) Receptor-mediated sorting of soluble vacuolar proteins ends at the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE). Nature Plants 2, Article number 16017
*corresponding author
◆ Robinson, D.G. and Pimpl, P.* (2014). Receptor-mediated transport of vacuolar proteins: a critical analysis and a new model. Protoplasma 251, 247-264.
*corresponding author
◆ Robinson, D.G., and Pimpl, P. (2014). Clathrin and post-Golgi trafficking: a very complicated issue. Trends Plant Sciences 19, 134-139.
◆ Shen, J., Zeng, Y., Zhuang, X., Sun, L., Yao, X., Pimpl, P., and Jiang, L. (2013). Organelle pH in the Arabidopsis Endomembrane System. Molecular Plant 6, 1419-1437.
◆ Scheuring, D., Künzl, F., Viotti, C., San Wan Yan, M., Jiang, L., Schellmann, S., Robinson, D.G., and Pimpl, P.* (2012). Ubiquitin initiates sorting of Golgi and PM proteins into the vacuolar degradation pathway. BMC Plant Biology 12, 164.
*corresponding author
◆ Robinson, D.G., Pimpl, P., Scheuring, D., Stierhof, Y.D., Sturm, S., and Viotti, C. (2012). Trying to make sense of retromer. Trends Plant Sciences 17, 431-439.
◆ Cai, Y., Jia, T., Lam, S.K., Ding, Y., Gao, C., San, M.W., Pimpl, P., and Jiang, L. (2011). Multiple cytosolic and transmembrane determinants are required for the trafficking of SCAMP1 via an ER-Golgi-TGN-PM pathway. Plant Journal 65, 882-896.
◆ Scheuring, D., Viotti, C., Kruger, F., Künzl, F., Sturm, S., Bubeck, J., Hillmer, S., Frigerio, L., Robinson, D.G., Pimpl, P.*, and Schumacher, K. (2011). Multivesicular bodies mature from the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 23, 3463-3481.
*corresponding author
◆ Niemes, S., Labs, M., Scheuring, D., Krueger, F., Langhans, M., Jesenofsky, B., Robinson, D.G., and Pimpl, P.* (2010). Sorting of plant vacuolar proteins is initiated in the ER. Plant Journal 62, 601-614.
*corresponding author
◆ Niemes, S., Langhans, M., Viotti, C., Scheuring, D., Yan, M.S., Jiang, L., Hillmer, S., Robinson, D.G., and Pimpl, P.* (2010). Retromer recycles vacuolar sorting receptors from the trans-Golgi network. Plant Journal 61, 107-121.
*corresponding author
◆ Shahriari, M., Keshavaiah, C., Scheuring, D., Sabovljevic, A., Pimpl, P., Häusler, R.E., Hülskamp, M., and Schellmann, S. (2010). The AAA-type ATPase AtSKD1 contributes to vacuolar maintenance of Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Journal 64, 71-85.
◆ Lam, S. K., Cai, Y., Tse, Y. C. Wang, J., Pimpl, P., Chan, H. Y. E., Xia, J. and Jiang, L (2009) The BFA-induced compartments from Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network are morphologically and functionally distinct in plant cells. Plant Journal 60, 865-881.
◆ Schellmann, S*. and Pimpl, P.* (2009). Coats of endosomal protein sorting: retromer and ESCRT. Current Opinion Plant Biology 12, 670-676.
*corresponding author
◆ Langhans, M., Niemes, S., Pimpl, P. and Robinson, D. G. (2009) Oryzalin bodies: In addition to its antimicrotubule properties the dinitroaniline herbicide oryzalin causes nodulation of the endoplasmic reticulum. Protoplasma 236, 73-84.
◆ Langhans, M., Marcote, M.J., Pimpl, P., Virgili-Lopez, G., Robinson, D.G., and Aniento, F. (2008). In vivo Trafficking and Localization of p24 Proteins in Plant Cells. Traffic 9, 770-785.
◆ Pimpl, P., Taylor, J.P., Snowden, C., Hillmer, S., Robinson, D.G and Denecke, J. (2006) Golgi-mediated vacuolar sorting of the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP may play an active role in quality control within the secretory pathway. Plant Cell 18, 198-211.
◆ Pimpl, P., Hanton, S. L., Taylor, J. P., Pinto-DaSilva, L. L., and Denecke, J. (2003). The GTPase ARF1p Controls the Sequence-Specific Vacuolar Sorting Route to the Lytic Vacuole. Plant Cell 15, 1242-1256.
◆ Ritzenthaler, C., Nebenführ, A., Movafeghi, A., Stussi-Garaud, C., Behnia, L., Pimpl. P., Staehelin, L.A., Robinson, D.G (2002) Reevaluation of the effects of brefeldin A on plant cells using tobacco BY-2 cells expressing Golgi-targeted GFP and COPI-antisera. Plant Cell 14, 237-261.
◆ Pimpl, P. and Denecke, J. (2002) Protein interactions in the secretory pathway, a growing demand for experimental approaches in vivo. Plant Molecular Biology 50, 887-902.
◆ Phillipson, B.A*., Pimpl, P.*, Lamberti Pinto daSilva, L., Crofts, A.J., Taylor, J.P., Movafeghi, A., Robinson, D.G., Denecke, J. (2001) Secretory bulk flow of soluble proteins is efficient and COPII dependent. Plant Cell 13, 2005-2020.
* contributed equally, listed alphabetically
◆ Törmäkangas, K., Hadlington, J.L., Pimpl, P., Hillmer, S., Brandizzi, F., Teeri, T.H. Denecke, J. (2001) A vacuolar sorting domain may also influence the way in which proteins leave the endoplasmic reticulum. Plant Cell 13, 2021-2032.
◆ Pimpl, P., Movafeghi, A., Coughlan, S., Denecke, J., Hillmer, S., Robinson, D.G. (2000) In situ localization and in vitro induction of plant COPI-coated vesicles. Plant Cell 12, 2219-2235.
◆ Pimpl, P. and Denecke, J. (2000) ER retention of soluble proteins: Retrieval, retention, or both? Plant Cell 12, 1517-1519.
◆ Movafeghi, A., Happel, N., Pimpl, P., Tai, G-H., and Robinson, D.G. (1999) Arabidopsis Sec21p and Sec23p homologs. Probable coat proteins of plant COP-coated vesicles. Plant Physiology 119, 1437-1445.

Other Info：
◆ The research group has current vacancies ranging from internships and jobs for working students through to jobs for postdoctoral researchers. We also offer topics for bachelor or master theses. Please feel free to contact us.

Contacts：
Prof. Dr. Peter Pimpl
SUSTech-PKU Institute of Food and Plant Sciences
Department of Biology
Southern University of Science and Technology
No 1088, Xueyuan Rd., Xili, Nanshan District,
Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Phone (office): +86 755 88018485
Email: pimpl@sustc.edu.cn