Sven Heckwolf
Research Associate
phone: 608-265-5295
email: heckwolf@wisc.edu
Education
2009: Ph.D., Technical University of Darmstadt (Darmstadt, Germany).
2005: State Examination in Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (Mainz, Germany).
2005: Diploma in Biology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (Mainz, Germany).
Current Research
My work centers around the Phytomorph project. Having gained expertise in the fields of (microscopic) imaging and computational data analysis before joining the Spalding Lab, I 'm now using C++, MATLAB and other programming languages to automate image acquisition and analysis.
The goals of my projects are to
a) use Multilinear Algebra (in particular Tensor Decomposition) and Machine Learning as tools for automated image-based studies of plant growth and development.
b) investigate the role of certain genes in the reaction of roots to changes in the gravitropic stimulus using computer vision.
Publications
1. Aquaporin tetramer composition modifies the function of tobacco aquaporins.
Otto B, Uehlein N, Sdorra S, Fischer M, Ayaz M, Belastegui-Macadam X, Heckwolf M, Lachnit M, Pede N, Priem N, Reinhard A, Siegfart S, Urban M, Kaldenhoff R. J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 8; 285 (41): 31253-60.
2. Polar accumulation of the metabolic sensory histidine kinases DcuS and CitA in Escherichia coli.
Scheu P*, Sdorra S*, Liao YF, Wegner M, Basché T, Unden G, Erker W. Microbiology. 2008 Aug; 154 (Pt 8): 2463-72.
3. Detection of single oxygen molecules with fluorescence-labeled hemocyanins.
Erker W, Sdorra S, Basché T. J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Oct 26;127 (42): 14532-3
* indicates joint first authorship
Teaching Experience
August 2009 to October 2011: Teacher for Biology and Chemistry in High school (Heppenheim, Germany).
June to August 2005: Supervisor in a physical chemistry tutorial at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany).
October 2001 to September 2004: Supervisor in the plant physiology course at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany).
I work on the Phytomorph project.