How fungal enzymes hijack the immune system of plants

28/11/2024

A research group led by Alga Zuccaro (UoC) published a paper about the fungi colonization of plant roots in the Journal Cell Host & Microbe.

Microscope image of a colonised Arabidopsis root. Purple: plant cell nuclei; green: hyphae of the root fungus Serendipita indica

Together with the CEPLAS members Matias Zurbriggen (HHU) and Pia Saake (UoC) and a research team, Alga Zuccaro published the study 'A nucleoside signal generated by fungal endophyte regulates host cell death and promotes root colonization'. The group deciphered how the beneficial root fungus Serendipita indica successfully colonizes plant roots of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The findings pave the way for new strategies in medicine and agriculture. 

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