| Abstract Detail
Mycology Shay, Rebecca [1], Trail, Frances [2]. Biofilm formation in the filamentous fungal plant pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Biofilms are known to play important roles in bacterial pathogens of plants and animals, where the formations help protect cells from defense responses and antimicrobial treatments. Although biofilms in bacterial plant pathogens are well studied, their role in filamentous fungal plant pathogens is virtually unexplored. Fusarium graminearum is a filamentous fungal pathogen that causes Fusarium Head Blight in cereal crops, which can result in devastating crop losses. We are characterizing the formation of biofilms in Fusarium graminearum in vitro, which provides a basis for moving this work to plants. We hypothesize that biofilms impact many steps in the disease cycle of FHB, from initial plant infection, to colonization, to overwintering on crop residues in the field. F. graminearum grows as fluffy hyphal colonies on most media, however, we observed an altered morphology, with predominantly short, bulbous hyphae under some conditions. We have mapped the full development of F. graminearum biofilms in vitro, adhered to a polystyrene surface, from the initial adhesion to dispersal of propagules and senescence of biofilms, and are investigating the conditions that promote biofilm formation. Additionally, we have identified components of the complex extracellular polymeric matrix, which is an important protective component of biofilms. From this work, we hope to provide a better understanding of the disease cycle of F. graminearum.
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1 - Michigan State University, Plant Biology, 612 Wilson Rd, Rm 342, East Lansing, MI, 48824, US
2 - Michigan State University, Department Of Plant Biology, 612 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824.0, United States
Keywords:
Fusarium graminearum
Mycology
plant-fungal interactions.
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: MYP3, Mycology Posters III
Location: /
Date: Wednesday, July 21st, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: MYP3005
Abstract ID:393
Candidate for Awards:MSA Best Poster Presentation Award by a Graduate Student |
