HOST - PATHOGEN INTERACTIONS

Willow leaf rust (Melampsora larici-epitea) infecting Willow (Salix viminalis). Photo by Berit Samils. 

Trees and pathogens interact at several different levels, ranging from landscape and forests to the molecular level. We study both resistance mechanisms in trees and pathogenicity factors in pathogens. At the population level we aim at understanding how resistance is maintained in the host and how we as humans can include more resistant trees in future forests. At the molecular level we study induced responses e.g. in signalling pathways and secondary metabolite production. Fungal pathogenicity factors are searched for using state-of-the-art genetics and genomic technology.

An important part of our work is based on genetic analyses such as search for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) and association mapping of candidate genes for resistance and pathogenicity. We are also performing whole genome association mapping of the pathogen Heterobasidion annosum. Hypotheses about candidate genes are tested using molecular techniques e.g. gene knock out, knock-down and overexpression.

People involved:

Jan Stenlid (Professor)
Åke Olson (Researcher)
Elna Stenström (Researcher)
Malin Elfstrand (Researcher)
Berit Samils (Researcher)
Mikael Brandström-Durling (Researcher)
Mårten Lind (Post doc)
Kerstin Dalman (Post doc)
Kajsa Himmelstrand (PhD student)

Collaborations

We collaborate with a number of people both at other departments within SLU but also at other Universities and Institutes. You find some of our current collaborators at the Royal Institute of Technology,University of Helsinki, the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk), Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute and at SLU the Dept. of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics as well as at the Dept. of Chemistry.

Our projects

Understanding and preventing root rot of conifers:

-Host resistance responses
In this project we aim to identify and study key processes in resistance reactions towards Heterobasidion spp. in the host tree. We use a number of different approaches including QTL analyses, transcriptome profiling and transformation of P. abies.
Contact persons: Jan Stenlid  and Malin Elfstrand

-Pathogenicity factors in Heterobasidion annosum s.l.
We combine classical genetics, reverse genetics and genomic approaches to understand the pathogenicity of Heterobasidion spp. Furthermore, we use an evolutionary perspective to infer host specialization and historical biogeography of the Heterobasidion annosum s.l.
Contact persons: Jan Stenlid and Åke Olson

Genomics of Heterobasidion annosum species complex
Contact persons:Jan Stenlid, Åke Olson and Mikael Brandström-Durling 

Secondary metabolites of Heterobasidon annosum species complex
Contact persons: Åke Olson and Audrius Menkis

Identifying rust resistance genes in willow by QTL-mapping
Contact persons: Berit Samils and Jan Stenlid

Epidemiology and population genetic structure of rust fungi
Contact persons: Berit Samils and Jan Stenlid

Longterm effects on pine forest after Gremmeniella-infections
Contact: Elna Stenström

Root associated fungi in forest nurseries
Contact.Elna Stenström and Audrius Menkis