Metabolomics

Our main goal is the establishment of a comprehensive and standardized metabolomics platform for the study of the interaction between Fusarium and plants, especially wheat. Separation of compounds is achieved by liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC), coupled to detection by high resolution / high mass accuracy mass spectrometry (LTQ-Orbitrap) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This unique set-up enables the detection of a great variety of compounds even without any prior clean-up and the identification and (relative) quantification of novel metabolites. A major aim of the project part is to identify “new” metabolites which play a putative role in the interaction between Fusaria and their host plants. Interesting compounds are identified, purified by preparative HPLC and provided to the project partners to study their mode of action and effects in plants.

The analytical work provides answers to the other project partners of the consortium on the metabolism of the mycotoxins and the metabolome of the investigated wheat and fungal species. The presented analytical approach will also contribute to improved future strategies on how to approach the challenge of metabolite profiling and metabolomics in the complex area of plant-fungus-interactions. Project Part Leaders: Univ. Prof. Dr. Rudolf Krska and Ao. Univ. Prof. Dr. Rainer Schuhmacher