Plants host a substantial amount of endophytic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. As a member of Research Area C, we are interested in discovering novel examples for fungal endophytes interacting with species of the Brassicaceae. We aim to culture these fungi and develop DNA transformation systems to initiate molecular characterisation of these eukaryotic microorganisms. Our long term goal is the modification of such endophytes so that they gain novel properties that are beneficial for the plant. This could, for example, include novel synthetic metabolic pathways studied intensively in Research Area D.

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