Verticillium-induced developmental reprogramming and resistance in Arabidopsis

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Volker Lipka
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255316173

The proposed research will focus on the interaction of vascular fungal pathogens of the genus Verticillium with the model plant Arabidopsis. In preliminary work we found Verticillium isolate-specific establishment of symptomless interactions or induction of two distinct developmental reprogramming patterns that either affect plant vascular tissue development or axillary meristem activity. The major goal of the planned research is to identify and understand in an evolutionary context the biological role(s) and mode(s) of action of lineage-specific Verticillium effector molecules that trigger plant symptom development. Moreover, we aim at identifying corresponding plant protein targets and the underlying plant signaling and executive machineries in Arabidopsis that are responsible for the complex interaction phenotypes. To this end, we will utilize comparative fungal genome sequencing and recently developed Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-cross (MAGIC) Arabidopsis lines for molecular analysis of phenotypic plasticity in both interaction partners. Together, this work will help to understand how reciprocal selection shapes the interactions between fungal pathogens and their host plants.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Rolf Daniel; Professor Dr. Bart Thomma