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Deciphering Fungal Pathogenesis and Host Resistance at the Maize-Pathogen Interface
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Molecular Interactions at the Host Extracellular Space
Molecular Interactions at the Host Extracellular Space
The extracellular space forms the frontline of the battle between plants and invading microbes. By exploiting the maize-Ustilago maydis pathosystem, we investigate the molecular mechanisms used by both host and pathogen to detect, evade, and counteract each other during the earliest stages of infection.
Sensing and Host Adaptation
How do fungal cells know they are on a host? They must recognize specific plant environmental cues to switch from a benign, yeast-like saprophytic stage to a pathogenic, filamentous stage.
Our Focus: Identifying host signals and fungal receptors that integrate these external stimuli to trigger the initial developmental transition.
Coordination of Effector Waves
Fungal invasion is not a single event; it is a dynamic timeline. The fungus deploys different weapons (effectors) at different stages of colonization to successfully colonize the host.
Our Focus: Investigating the regulatory networks and transcription factors that orchestrate these precise "effector waves" as the fungus moves from surface penetration to deep tissue colonization.
Suppression of Apoplastic Immunity
The plant apoplast is highly hostile, filled with degradative enzymes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) designed to destroy invaders.
Our Focus: Exploring how the fungus deploys effectors to disarm host apoplastic defense components and establish a compatible biotrophic niche.
Maize Resistance and Susceptibility Mechanisms
Resistance is a two-way street. How does the host plant fight back, and where does it fail?
Our Focus: Evaluating the host side of the coin. Studying how maize senses fungal effectors and pinpoints the specific host physiological changes or susceptibility factors that the fungus exploits to colonize the host.
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