Exploring oxidative stress resistance and phytohormone biosynthesis in Trichoderma spp. using enhanced quantification and transformation approaches
Student/in: Siebe Pierson, MSc
Termin: 15.01.2026, 13:45 Uhr
Ort: Hörsaal B7, Bauingenieurgebäude
1. Prüfer/in: Assoc.-Prof. Fabio Gsaller PhD
2. Prüfer/in: Prof (FH). Priv. Doz. Dr. Natalia Mach
Vorsitzende/r: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Ursula Peintner
Interessierte Kolleginnen und Kollegen sind herzlich willkommen!
Abstract
Trichoderma species are characterised by their necrotrophic mycoparasitic lifestyle and symbiotic relationship with a plant host. Despite their use in biological pest control for several decades, elucidation of the interactions between the mycoparasitic fungus, its plant host and the prey fungus remains challenging to this day. In my seminar, I will summarize the aims of my PhD project which are divided into two main topics. Firstly, we aim to develop a multiple-player assay that allows the visualisation and elucidation of essential Trichoderma-pathogen-plant interactions, through the use of state-of-the-art techniques such as the CRIB reporter system in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Secondly, we will investigate the importance of cell wall integrity (CWI) signalling in T. atroviride mycoparasitism. In previous years, the knockout of Tmk2 (a terminal MAPK in the CWI pathway) has proven to be challenging. We will re-attempt to isolate a ∆tmk2 strain which will be used to investigate the function of Tmk2 mediated signalling in regulating polarized growth and CWI.