Genomic diversity and molecular basis of pathogenicity of novel oomycete pathogens
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Life Sciences
Abstract
Oomycetes are fungus-like eukaryotic organisms which can infect plants and animals. Plant pathogenic
oomycetes are generally well studied due to their impact on horticulture, with notable examples including
Phytophthora infestans (which causes potato blight) and Phytophthora ramorum (which causes sudden
oak death). Despite their impact on aquaculture as well as human health, animal pathogenic oomycetes
have been less well studied due to the lack of a tractable model organism. We recently discovered that
the oomycete Myzocytiopsis humicola is a natural pathogen of the model organism Caenorhabditis
elegans. Therefore we aim to study and elucidate the animal-oomycete interactions that occur during
infection using this model. This project seeks to investigate the effectors secreted by oomycetes during
animal infection which counter host defences and result in successful infection.
Putative virulence factors will be predicted from the genomes of nematode-infecting oomycetes using
bioinformatic analyses and their effect on host immunity and physiology will be assessed upon
heterologous expression in C. elegans. Based upon the virulence factors we discover in nematode-
infecting oomycetes, we aim to predict related virulence factors in animal pathogenic oomycetes such as
Pythium insidiosum. Furthermore, we will investigate how the genetic background of a C. elegans strain
and the genetic background of the infecting oomycete interact to determine the susceptibility of worms to
infection.
Insights gained on the pathogenicity of nematicidal oomycetes will be leveraged to develop biocontrol
strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes, utilising any virulence factors identified.
oomycetes are generally well studied due to their impact on horticulture, with notable examples including
Phytophthora infestans (which causes potato blight) and Phytophthora ramorum (which causes sudden
oak death). Despite their impact on aquaculture as well as human health, animal pathogenic oomycetes
have been less well studied due to the lack of a tractable model organism. We recently discovered that
the oomycete Myzocytiopsis humicola is a natural pathogen of the model organism Caenorhabditis
elegans. Therefore we aim to study and elucidate the animal-oomycete interactions that occur during
infection using this model. This project seeks to investigate the effectors secreted by oomycetes during
animal infection which counter host defences and result in successful infection.
Putative virulence factors will be predicted from the genomes of nematode-infecting oomycetes using
bioinformatic analyses and their effect on host immunity and physiology will be assessed upon
heterologous expression in C. elegans. Based upon the virulence factors we discover in nematode-
infecting oomycetes, we aim to predict related virulence factors in animal pathogenic oomycetes such as
Pythium insidiosum. Furthermore, we will investigate how the genetic background of a C. elegans strain
and the genetic background of the infecting oomycete interact to determine the susceptibility of worms to
infection.
Insights gained on the pathogenicity of nematicidal oomycetes will be leveraged to develop biocontrol
strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes, utilising any virulence factors identified.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Michail Barkoulas (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011178/1 | 30/09/2015 | 25/02/2025 | |||
2455013 | Studentship | BB/M011178/1 | 02/10/2020 | 29/06/2024 |