Project description
How kiwellin proteins help defend plants against pathogens
Plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi can have a major impact on global food security and plant ecology. However, knowledge on how plants can defend themselves against pathogen invaders is limited. Kiwellin proteins represent an emerging class of highly diverse proteins with antibody-like properties that act as countermeasures for plants against virulence factors secreted by pathogenic fungi. The EU-funded KIWIsome project will establish the functional, structural and mechanistic basis that enables this fundamentally new class of proteins to combat pathogens. This European Research Council initiative will not only offer perspectives for future plant engineering but also provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the continuing arms race between plants and their pathogenic invaders.
Fields of science
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protection
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycology
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantHost institution
35037 Marburg
Germany
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Beneficiaries (1)
35037 Marburg
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