Master student wanted to identify virulence genes in a fungal pathogen

This pathogen usually enters the host through mechanical wounds or root contacts underground, and our main interest is to understand what are the molecular interactions between the two organisms that lead to a successful infection.

For this project we have a collection of fungal isolates available. The isolates  have had their genome sequenced. It is possible to analyse RNA-seq data in which the transcripts from both host and pathogen have been sequenced at two different timepoints after infection.

Since this project has a bioinformatic focus and involves the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data it is ideal under the current situation, but could eventually involve infection experiments in the field and molecular work in the lab.

If you are interested please send an email to hernan.capador@slu.se with a short presentation.