Elucidating plant-pathogen interactions at the protein level

This project focusses on the time-resolved analysis of the tomato root proteome in response to fungal colonization. We aim to address the question on how pathogen attack influences the tomato root proteome over several stages of fungal colonization behavior. Proteome analyses, using two-dimensional differential in gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) and LC-MS/MS (hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer), are used to identify proteins related to the fungal spread at the respective time points. Functional characterization of candidates involved in the root’s response to the fungal pathogens will be performed on the transcript as well as metabolic level.

Photo: Katja Witzel, IGZ