Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in cereals
Plant Molecular Genetics
The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is the most widespread plant-fungal interaction between roots of terrestrial plants and Glomeromycotan fungi. This association has received considerable attention because of (a) the nutritional benefit it confers on hosts by improving access to otherwise limiting sources of nutrients, (b) its widespread occurrence among extant plants due to the extraordinarily high degree of promiscuity of AM fungi and (c) its relative antiquity and putative ancestral relationship to other plant-microbe interactions.
Our research focuses on the discovery of molecular mechanisms underlying the AM symbiosis in cereals. Unique resources available for maize and rice as hosts of AM fungi provide powerful tools for molecular genetics studies of AM symbiosis in general and in these economically important crop plants in particular. Our results may have a direct impact on plant pest and nutrition management strategies important for the optimization of agricultural systems.
Research topics
Cloning genes from maize and rice mutants
Novel mycorrhiza-factors in rice
Molecular genetics of symbiotic phosphate acquisition&
The arbusculome
Proteomics of the periarbuscular membrane
Genetic diversity of mycorrhizal responsiveness in maize
Interdisciplinary
SystemsX CINA: 3D-EM reconstruction of an arbuscule (Engel/Stahlberg, UniBasel)
