Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, Diversity and Molecular Analysis

Most trees in temperate forests form a symbiotic relationship with ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) (other forms of mycorrhiza also occur). The symbiosis provides the trees with an increased supply of water and minerals, while the fungal partners receive organic compounds from the trees.

Biodiversity studies
We study the diversity of the fungal community in forest stands at the molecular level and relate this to the diversity of tree species in the stand. For functional biodiversity studies we use stable isotope labeling, physiological studies with axenic fungal-plant systems and methods of molecular physiology.

Molecular Analyses
We are also working on establishing genetically modifiable ECM model systems. For this purpose, we cultivate ECM from temperate forests and establish transformation systems as well as transformable plasmids with corresponding selection markers. Our aim is to characterize candidate genes in both symbiotic partners in reverse and forward genetic approaches to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of ectomyorrhizal symbiosis.

We use molecular biological and cell biological methods to address the following questions:
1. Can already known transformation methods be transferred to Paxillus involutus?
2. What growing conditions are necessary for a successful symbiosis with Populus x canescens?
3. Which genes of Paxillus involutus are involved in ectomyorrhiza symbiosis?