Metabolomics of plant-Fusarium interactions
Abstract
The interdisciplinary project SFB Fusarium is coordinated by Prof. Gerhard Adam and aims to utilize the rapidly advancing tools of genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics to improve the understanding of the complex relationship between cereals and the broad host range fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum (Fg). A major working hypothesis of the metabolomics project is that Fg is capable of producing a number of (unknown) low molecular weight metabolites which act as effector molecules by interfering with the defense response of the infected host plant. In this respect we will employ our recently developed cutting-edge isotope assisted workflows to screen for putative bioactive polyketides of Fg and characterize their potential to act as effectors of the pathogen. Moreover, we intend to pursue the topic of synergistic interaction between known Fusarium metabolites, having little toxicity on their own but potentially acting as synergists by targeting detoxification mechanisms of the host. On the plant side we will continue to use 13C labeled tracer compounds to study their detoxification in planta and to elucidate resistance related biochemical pathways and metabolites. To this end, a custom-tailored plant growth chamber will be used which enables the cultivation of highly 13C enriched plant material under experimental conditions. We expect that in the long run the insights gained within the project should have an impact on solving the Fusarium problem by enabling knowledge based plant protection strategies such as plant breeding. Finally, we will make use of the untargeted 13C tracer fate approach to study the so far unknown toxicity and metabolism of recently identified, secondary Fusarium metabolites in mammalian cell lines. This will be realized in close collaboration with the toxicology partners of the project consortium.
keywords Chromatography Mass spectrometry Isotope labeling Fungal pathogen Plant
Publikationen
Project staff
Rainer Schuhmacher
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Chem. Dr.rer.nat. Rainer Schuhmacher
rainer.schuhmacher@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97307
Project Leader
01.03.2016 - 28.02.2019
Christoph Büschl
Dr. Christoph Büschl MSc.
christoph.bueschl@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97304
Project Staff
01.03.2016 - 28.02.2019
Maria Doppler
Dr. Maria Doppler MSc.
maria.doppler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-35072
Project Staff
01.03.2016 - 28.02.2019