Transgenic plants

The main goal of this project part is the generation of transgenic wheat lines to validate candidate genes expected to increase resistance to Fusarium or fungal toxins.

Candidate genes generally considered useful are genes encoding antifungal proteins such as pathogenesis-related genes (PR genes), genes inducing systemic resistance, and genes involved in defense responses. Another approach that will be pursued is aiming at Fusarium mycotoxins. For example, Prof. Adam will provide candidate genes, which confer dosage dependent DON resistance in yeast. Further target genes are expected to arise from a cDNA-AFLP screen previously performed by Prof. Bürstmayr.

All candidate genes will be introduced into embryo-derived callus cells via biolistic transformation and the resulting plant lines will be tested for stable constitutive transgene expression. Resistance to Fusarium and mycotoxins will be evaluated. Selected plant lines will be tested for alterations of their metabolite spectrum (Prof. Krska) and for changes in gene expression (Prof. Bürstmayr).