Understanding Pycnidiospore Development, Mycotoxin Production, and The Primary Inoculum of Stenocarpella Maydis

The goal of the proposed research is to increase the knowledge base on the under-researched pathogen S. maydis. The host-pathogen interaction appears to be distinctive, notably the vital role of pycnidia in the disease cycle and the infection process of a seed pathogen. Development of a molecular system to study S. maydis will provide novel information that will contribute towards our understanding of pathogenesis, mycotoxin production, host resistance mechanisms, and fungicide efficacy.Objective 1. Generate and characterize mutants defective in diplodiatoxin biosynthesis and pycnidial development. We will use REMI (Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration) as well as specific gene disruptions to generate mutants of S. maydis that can be used to better understand toxin production and reproductive aspects of this fungus.Objective 2. Profile gene expression in distinct stages of pycnidial development. We will use next generation sequencing technology to generate data that can be used for
gene discovery.