Early stages of pathogenesis in plant pathogenic fungi (3. funding period)

Basic data for this project

Description

The early events of colonization of host plants by phytopathogenic fungi (spore adhesion and germination, development of infection structures and penetration) are crucial for the development of disease. These early processes will be studied in two fungi with different pathogenic life styles: the hemibiotroph Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the necrotroph Botrytis cinerea. Using an integrated approach combining classical (physiology, cytology) and molecular techniques (including array technology and signalling mutants generated by gene inactivation), the conditions/signals and signal cascades triggering these early events are analysed in detail and compared between the two pathosystems. The results of this study will provide better understanding of these complex interaction systems, and will lead to establishment of a basis for the development of alternative disease control systems (definition of targets). The multiple approaches is possible by integrating the different, specific expertise of the 3 partner labs and includes intensive transfer of knowledge and data between the partners, leading to a substantial broadening of the expertise of all partners, and especially of the partner of the Palestine authority.