Elucidating Fungal Immune Receptors
Ksenia Krasileva, Professor
Plant and Microbial Biology
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2024.
Filamentous fungi are hosts to pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasitic fungi, and grazing nematodes. Besides RNAi to protect fungal genomes from mycoviruses, a fungal inducible defense upon recognition of bacteria has yet to be fully described. Genes encoding nucleotide-binding domain Leucine-rich repeat-like (NLR-like) proteins are present in abundance in the genomes of filamentous fungi. NLRs are intracellular receptors known to mediate cross-kingdom, antagonistic communication in plants and metazoans. Although a role for NLR-like proteins in fungi has been described for allorecognition known as heterokaryon incompatibility, evidence of cross-kingdom surveillance of fungal NLR-like proteins is lacking. In order to investigate if fungal NLR-like proteins participate in an inducible response like plant and animal NLRs, this project will utilize Neurospora crassa and various bacteria with a primary focus on the seventeen putative NLR-like proteins encoded in the N. crassa genome. Exposure of N. crassa to bacteria and bacterial secretions results in an environmental-dependent response including growth defects, increased growth rate, macroconidia production, and cell death. These results suggest that N. crassa is initiating many physiological changes, including programmed cell death upon recognition of bacteria that might be constituting a putative immune response analogous to animal and plant immune responses.
Role: This project utilizes molecular biology techniques such as flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, reverse genetics and cloning in order to investigate N. crassa’s response to bacteria. We are looking for student candidates from all backgrounds that have a particular interest in cellular biology/physiology and mycology. The student should have a good understanding of genetics and molecular biology, or currently enrolled in relevant coursework to fulfill this requirement. No prior lab experience required but familiarity with troubleshooting is greatly appreciated as well as any experience with coding. Students should be highly motivated and willing to work independently but not afraid to ask as questions as needed! Students should also be prepared and willing to contribute their own ideas and experiments to the project once the project is well under way. The student is expected to dedicate approximately 10 hours a week to the project with flexible hours aside from weekly meetings with the mentor (Usually 3+ extra hours).
Qualifications: Undergraduate students are also expected to have scheduled 1:1 meetings with Prof Krasileva at least monthly and are encouraged to have additional ad hoc meetings in person or by Zoom to discuss career development and research project. Students will have additional interactions throughout the semester through lab meetings, project meetings as well as other lab events. Candidate is expected to present the overview of their research progress at a lab meeting at the end of the semester
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Frances Grace Stark, Graduate Student
Hours: 12 or more hours
Related website: https://krasilevalab.org/
Related website: https://krasilevalab.org/grace-stark/