A transcriptomic approach to understand the mechanism of action of a novel biofungicide based on biocontrol bacterium.

Supervisor: Ilaria Pertot  

Co-Supervisor: Nazia Loi

Tutor: Gerardo Puopolo

The bacterial genus Lysobacter represents a still underdeveloped source of biocontrol agents able to protect plants against pathogenic oomycetes. It encompasses species that may be potentially developed as biofungicide such as L. capsici AZ78 against Phytophthora infestans.

L. capsici AZ78 tolerates abiotic stresses (i.e. UV irradiation) and shows copper-resistance, a biological trait interesting for developing new sustainable pest management. Finally, the production of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds by L. capsici AZ78 makes it a potential product for controlling plant pathogenic oomycetes.

Given the availability of the sequenced genome of L. capsici AZ78, the aim of this project is to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in the biocontrol activity of this biocontrol bacterium. Specifically, part of the project will be dedicated to the understanding of how the gene expression in L. capsici AZ78 is modulated during the interaction with P. infestans.  In an another part of the project, we will investigate on how the presence of copper ions will change the gene expression in L. capsici AZ78, focusing our attention on the influence of genes associated with the biological control of plant pathogenic microorganisms. 

The RNA-seq methodology will be used to determine the transcriptome of L. capsici AZ78 in presence of P. infestans and copper ions. All the results that will be achieved during this PhD project, will be useful for improving the application of a biofungicide based on L. capsici AZ78.

Biography and contacts

Selena Tomada was born in 1989 in Cividale del Friuli-Italy. In 2010 graduated in Agricultural Science (110/110 cum laude) and 2013 graduated in Agricultural Science and Technology Master (110/110 cum laude) at Udine University-Italy. In 2014 she started the doctoral course at the PhD school “Agriculture Science and Biotechnology” at the University of Udine in collaboration with Edmund Mach Foundation in San Michele all’Adige-Italy.

tomada.selena@uniud.it  selena.tomada@fmach.it

[Phone 0461615502]