Grass endophytes
Plant Ecological Genetics
Symbiotic associations between organisms are common in ecosystems, but mutual benefits may be conditional depending on the environment and the genotypes of interacting partners. The widespread associations of Epichloë endophytes (ascomycete fungi) with grass hosts are used as a model system to address questions regarding the evolution of mutualism, host-symbiont dynamics and cryptic speciation of fungi. Currently, one of our research projects is focused on the significance of hybridizations in asexual endophytes of the woodland grass Hordelymus europaeus.
Research topics
Evolution of fungus/host systems
Hybridization and cryptic speciation
Interactions of fungi with gamete transferring flies
Interdisciplinary
Plant-microbe interactions
Ecology
Evolution
Molecular genetics
