For the identification of novel natural products from microbial and plant sources, the HKI follows a multidisciplinary approach based on intense cooperation and exchange between the different Departments and Junior Research Groups.

The activities within the HKI and of external collaborators are directed and coordinated by the IPL-team. It consists of a group of expert scientists representing the different expertises required for the characterisation of natural products. The IPL-team establishes, maintains and improves the basic principles and platform technologies like strain collections and management, compound libraries and distribution, establishment of methods, algorithms and data management.

The Departments and Research groups provide the basis consisting of microbial strains, extracts, natural products and synthetic derivatives. They have been identifying new targets, developing and running novel assay systems. Investigation and optimisation of biosynthesis pathways and strain improvement, pilot scale fermentation and downstream processing are available for natural products of primary interest. New technologies like transcription profile analysis, proteome analysis and metabolomics complement the methods applied.

Identified lead compounds will be characterized in their function as mediators of biological communication. The IPL team evaluates the natural products as tools for modern biotechnology or as therapeutic drugs.

The assays established and available for identification and characterisation of natural products include a diversity of biological communication systems. They allow to study interactions between natural products and biological macromolecules. Moreover, they help to study functions of natural products within and interference with biological networks. This applies to intraspecific as well as interspecific functions, to functions of both within microorganisms and between micro- and macro-organisms, pathogen and host.