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

本研究旨在利用遗传数据来阐明一组真菌宿主特异性的机制，这些真菌要么是昆虫的病原体，要么是其他真菌。通过前期的研究，我们获得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，在有松露和没有松露的条件下生长松露病原体，并比较真菌对这些条件的反应（使用信使RNA测量）将为松露发病所需的基因和途径提供线索。此外，还将获得该属中更多物种的全基因组数据，包括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寄生于不同宿主的该属物种进行更大的概括，并确定宿主特异性基因集。真菌病原体对新宿主的感染知之甚少，随着气候的不断变化和群落变得更加全球化，这一点越来越重要。了解寄生在不同寄主上的物种的基因组差异可以告诉我们真菌是如何能够转换寄主的。本研究的广泛影响包括但不限于以下方面。首先，这一提议的一个主要影响将是生产一个电子可获得的高中生物模块关于昆虫和其他真菌的真菌病原体。这将创建为教师和学生的资源，包括课堂，现场和实验室练习。本模块的一个组成部分将是5个课程计划，完成演示幻灯片，包括整个昆虫病原真菌单元。这将在冬虫夏草电子专论网站http://cordyceps.us上公开。其次，毫无疑问，基于所有相关物种的基因组测序，所研究的生物将具有重要的次生代谢物库，本项目的主要影响将是鉴定这些基因簇，这些基因簇可能导致鉴定和开发新的天然产物，在医学和生物防治方面具有潜在的应用。

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.