DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Evolutionary genomics of inter-kingdom host jumping in the fungal genus Elaphocordyceps

这项研究试图利用遗传数据来阐明一组真菌的寄主专一性的潜在机制，这些真菌要么是昆虫的病原体，要么是其他真菌。通过之前的研究，产生了两个非常接近的物种的全基因组数据，一个甲虫病原体和一个松露病原体。在这项研究中，将进行一项实验，其中松露病原体将在含有和不含有松露的条件下生长，比较真菌对这些条件的反应(使用信使RNA测量)将提供线索，了解哪些基因和途径是松露致病所必需的。此外，还将产生该属内更多物种的全基因组数据，包括一种蝉病原体和另一种松露病原体。这些额外的基因组将允许对该属内寄生不同宿主的物种进行更大的概括，并识别宿主特有的基因集。关于新宿主感染真菌病原体的情况知之甚少，随着气候的持续变化和社区变得更加全球化，这种情况变得越来越重要。了解寄生不同宿主的物种的基因组差异可以了解真菌如何能够切换宿主。这项研究的更广泛影响包括但不限于以下。首先，这项提议的主要影响将是制作一个关于昆虫和其他真菌的真菌病原体的电子高中生物模块。本课程将作为教师和学生的资源，包括课堂练习、实地练习和实验室练习。本单元的一个组成部分是5个课程计划，连同演示幻灯片，组成一个完整的昆虫病原真菌单元。这将在http://cordyceps.us.的冬虫夏草电子专著上公开发布。其次，基于所有以前测序的相关物种的基因组，毫无疑问，每个研究生物都将拥有大量的次生代谢物，该项目的主要影响将是识别这些基因簇，这可能导致识别和开发新的天然产物，具有潜在的医学和生物防治应用。

This study seeks to use genetic data to elucidate mechanisms underlying host specificity in a group of fungi that are either pathogens of insects or other fungi. Through previous research, whole genome data was generated for two very closely related species, one beetle pathogen and one truffle pathogen. In this study, an experiment will be performed where the truffle pathogen will be grown in conditions containing the truffle and without, and the comparison of how the fungus responds to these conditions (measured using messenger RNA) will gives clues as to which genes and pathways are necessary for truffle pathogenesis. In addition, whole genome data will be produced for more species within this genus, including a cicada pathogen and another truffle pathogen. These additional genomes will allow larger generalizations to be made about species within this genus parasitizing different hosts, and to identify host-specific gene sets. Little is known about the infection of new hosts by fungal pathogens and is of increasing importance as the climate continues to change and communities become more global. Knowledge of the genomic differences of species parasitizing different hosts can inform how fungi are able to switch hosts.The broader impacts of this study include, but are not limited to, the following. First, a major impact of this proposal will be the production of an electronically available high school biology module on fungal pathogens of insects and other fungi. This will be created as a resource for both teachers and students, and include classroom, field, and laboratory exercises. An integral part of this module will be 5 lessons plans, complete with presentation slides, to comprise an entire insect pathogenic fungi unit. This will be made publically available at the Cordyceps Electronic Monograph at http://cordyceps.us. Second, it is of little doubt, based on all previously sequenced genomes of related species, that the study organisms will each have a significant repertoire of secondary metabolites, and a major impact of this project will be the identification of these gene clusters which could lead to the identification and development of novel natural products, with potential applications in medicine and biocontrol.