Gerhard Braus & James Kronstad
PhD student: Isabel Maurus

The formation of secondary metabolites and distinct secretomes of the fungal vascular pathogen V. dahliae strains will be analysed in different environments and in different genetic backgrounds. Mutant strains deficient in the MAP kinase Vmk1 pathway, the unfolded protein response and in initial steps of the fungal contact with plant roots (Bui et al., New Phytologist, 2018) will be compared to wildtype in minimal, complex and pectin media, as well as in plant xylem sap. The impact of identified formed secondary metabolites on plant virulence will be analysed in corresponding deletion strains (with Prof. James Kronstad, UBC).