Project description DEENESFRITPL Predicting the impacts of climate change on plant-pathogen interactions Numerous studies of molecular plant-pathogen interactions have probed the precise combinations of host and pathogen genes that lead to susceptibility or resistance. Although valuable, laboratory trials cannot directly predict when and where a disease will develop (pathogenesis) in natural or agricultural plant populations, as environmental factors also play a role. The EU-funded PathoGenoPredict project will create a framework that enables scientists to predict plant pathogenesis and account for spatiotemporal variation in both host and pathogen genetics over the landscape and through time. The research fellow will investigate the genetic interaction of Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, a model fungus-like organism known as an oomycete, and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana across the landscape, producing maps both for today's climate and predicted future climate change. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Plants and their pathogens are locked in an ongoing coevolutionary battle, with outcomes affecting food and environmental security. Pathogenesis can occur when a host's resistance and pathogen's virulence genotypes are compatible with infection, while incompatible genotypes lead to resistance. A myriad of studies of molecular plant-pathogen interactions have probed the precise combinations of host (R) and pathogen (Avr) genes that lead to susceptibility or resistance. While laboratory trials are valuable, they cannot directly predict when and where pathogenesis will occur in natural or agricultural plant populations, as environmental factors also play a role. In this fellowship, I will build predictions of plant pathogenesis that account for spatiotemporal variation in both host and pathogen genetics over the landscape and through time.I will investigate the model system of Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa; an oomycete) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Ath; a plant). Existing work in this system has identified the molecular mechanisms underlying multiple disease resistance phenotypes. I propose to extend this work by evaluating the genetic interaction of Hpa and Ath across the landscape. Specifically, I aim to1) Determine the spatial distribution of genetic diversity across the landscape in both Ath and Hpa, investigating both neutral genome-wide patterns and R/Avr gene loci.2) Model genetic variation in R/Avr genes across the landscape, producing maps both for today’s climate, and under predicted future climate change.3) Predict how genetics interacts with a variable environment, including a changing climate, to produce disease, including future changes in the coevolutionary balance between plant and pathogen due to climate-induced range shifts.These aims facilitate the projection of molecular plant-pathogen interactions onto the landscape, and provide a framework to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying ecological interaction of plants and their pathogens. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Net EU contribution € 174 806,40 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
