Project
Fungi has sex: Functional molecular-genetic analysis of sexual reproduction in the fungus Botrytis cinerea
Under darkness, low nutrient and low temperature condition, the grey mold fungus Botrytis cinerea forms sclerotia, a hardened masses of mycelium, to prepare for sexual reproduction. Once encountered with microspores (male gamete in Botrytis cinerea), Sclerotia will initiate sexual reproduction and develop fruiting bodies. In this project, I aim to explore the mechanism of the sexual reproduction with tools of molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry.
Background
Botrytis cinerea requires a partner to start sexual reproduction process (self-sterile). However, the sister species Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can start the
sexual reproduction process by itself (self-fertile). There are several
attempts to switch self-sterile to self-fertile lifestyle in various fungi
species. To the best of my knowledge, there is no fully successful switch.
The project aims to explore the mechanism of sexual reproduction process and
generate a self-fertile Botrytis cinerea.
Project description
The recognition of pheromone by pheromone receptor is the first step of sexual reproduction. This study aims to explore the function of pheromone and its receptor in Botrytis cinerea. Besides, this study aims to generate a self-fertile Botrytis cinerea. Using CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis, the mating type genes from the partner can be inserted into the MAT loci of the wild type strain. With a pair of mating type genes, Botrytis cinerea would be theoretically self-fertile. Previous study of lifestyle switch in other fungi species suggests that “recessive mutations” could lead to the failure of sexual reproduction. The project also aims to find potential “recessive mutations” in Botrytis cinerea. The "recessive mutations” will
