Functional genomics to understand the Fusarium resistance response of wheat

The goal of this project part is to use near isogenic lines differing in particular QTLs and new material developed during the course of the project for functional genomics approaches. The aim is to identify differences in gene expression and allelic differences, to identify candidate genes that are causal for the QTL effect. The tools used will be advanced Affymetrix microarrays to utilization of high throughput second generation sequencing. A well characterized doubled haploid population of wheat will be used to map gene expression (eQTL mapping) and compare eQTLs with phenotypic trait QTLs. Furthermore a newly developed TILLING population in a highly Fusarium resistant wheat background will be used for gene validation. Once established and proven to work for Fusarium infection, virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) will be utilized as prescreen (in collaboration with Dr. Patrick Schweizer, IPK Gatersleben). Promising targets will be provided to PP12 for overexpression studies in transgenic wheat.