Dr. Peter Solomon, Plant Cell Biology, RSBS, School of Biology

Identifying pathogenicity effectors in Stagonospora nodorum using 2D-PAGE

A proteomics project is available to identify pathogenicity factors in the fungus Stagonospora nodorum, a significant pathogen of wheat throughout the world. The project will involve using 2D-PAGE to compare the proteomes of wild-type pathogenic isolates and mutant non-pathogenic isolates to identify potential pathogenicity proteins. The role of these proteins will then be functionally validated by disrupting the encoding gene via genetic manipulation.

Identifying host-specific toxins in Stagonospora nodorum

Previous research from this laboratory and collaborators has shown S. nodorum secretes host-specific toxins that are required to cause disease. Whilst the activities have been identified, it is unclear what many of the encoding genes are. A project is available to identify and characterise these genes using a combination of proteomic and genomic tools.

Development of genetic manipulation techniques in Mycosphaerella graminicola

Mycosphaerella graminicola is a very serious pathogen of wheat in Europe and is a significant potential threat to Australian wheat production. A project is available to establish genetic manipulation techniques for M. graminicola, in particular gene disruption. Once established, candidate genes will be chosen for gene disruption to determine their role in pathogenicity.

Other projects in the areas of proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics are available with the aim of better understanding plant-pathogen interactions. Please contact Dr. Peter Solomon ( peter.solomon@anu.edu.au ) for further information on any of the above projects.

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