Project properties
Title Genetics of non-self recognition in Basidiomycetes
Group Genetics, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 24-36
Supervisor(s) Ben Auxier, Duur Aanen
Examiner(s) Duur Aanen
Contact info ben.auxier@wur.nl
Begin date 2020/01/01
End date 2021/12/31
Description Fungi, like all multicellular organisms, need to differentiate self from non-self. In vertebrates this is accomplished using the MHC loci, while mold fungi use highly polymorphic het loci. In our lab we are determining the process used by mushroom-forming basidiomycetes. Due to the life cycle of mushrooom-forming fungi, we expect the mechanism to be distinct from other fungi.
We have recently mapped regions of the genome responsible for non-self recognition, and we now need to characterize a number of genes to test which are causal for the phenomenon. Various thesis projects could be incorporated into this such as:
1) sampling local field isolates and assessing diversity for these genes. 2) Cloning and characterizing candidate genes using molecular tools such as flourescent microscopy and qPCR. 3) Bioinformatically assessing diversity of candidate genes both within and across species using existing fungal genomic datasets.
Used skills Cloning, Sequencing, Transformation, Microbiological Culturing, Field Sampling,
Requirements Depending on the desired project, a background in genetics (GEN-30306), molecular biology, or bioinformatics.