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Mechanisms of acquired resistance, Position for PhD student

Marcus Wernitz wernitz at landw.uni-halle.de
Wed Feb 9 05:59:26 EST 2000


Position for PhD student (BAT IIa/2-O) available
at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Agriculture,
Phytopathology and Plant Protection

Mechanisms of acquired resistance:  Isolation and characterization of
salicylate-responsive genes of broad bean (Vicia faba)
Chemical induction of resistance has been discussed as a novel plant
protection strategy, and mechanisms underlying acquisition of resistance
have been investigated intensively (Sticher et al., 1997).  In broad
bean, exogenously applied salicylate induces local, but not systemic
resistance against the broad bean rust fungus (Uromyces fabae).  This
resistance has been attributed to the induction of an apoplastic
antifungal basic PR-1 protein, and, interestingly, only infection
structures invading the leaf are sensitive to the protein.  The
inhibitor thus acts infection structure-specifically (Rauscher et al.,
1999).
In order to understand the complexity of the mechanism of acquired
resistance we have be-gun to clone salicylate-responsive broad bean
genes, using differential subtractive hybridi-zation (Ace et al.,
1994).  Several cDNAs exhibiting differential hybridization patters have
been obtained, and for some of these salicylate-inducibility has been
confirmed by RT-PCR.
The aim of this project is to identify and characterize
salicylat-responsive genes of Vicia faba that may be involved in defense
against fungal plant pathogens.  During the course of the project,
general methods of molecular genetics, e.g. RT-PCR, differential
hybridiza-tion, DNA sequencing and heterologous expression of the
isolated cDNAs will be applied.  Financial support will be given for two
years, with a possible 1-year extension, depending on the success of the
project.
The position is available immediately.
Requirements:  Masters or Diploma (Germany) in Phytopathology,
Microbiology, Botany, Biochemistry or related fields, and experience
with plant pathogenic fungi and techniques used in molecular biology.
For application or further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Holger B. Deising
Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg
Faculty of Agriculture
Phytopathology and Plant Protection
Ludwig-Wucherer-Str. 2
D-06099 Halle (Saale)
e-mail: deising at landw.uni-halle.de
phone: +345-5522660


Literature
Ace, C. I., M. Balsamo, L. T. Le und W. C. Okulicz (1994): Isolation of
progesterone-dependent complementary desoxyribonucleic acid fragments
from rhesus monkey endometrium by sequential subtractive hybridization
and polymerase chain reaction amplification. Endocrinology 134,
1305-1309.
Rauscher, M., A. L. Ádám, S. Wirtz, R. Guggenheim, K. Mendgen und H. B.
Deising (1999): PR-1 inhibits the differentiation of rust infection
hyphae in leaves of acquired resistant broad bean. The Plant Journal 19,
625-635.
Sticher, L., B. Mauch-Mani und J.-P. Métraux (1997): Systemic acquired
resistance. Annual Review of Phytopathology 35, 235-270.






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