fungage-lab.bsky.social
Researches fungal evolution/genetics/genomics. Associate professor at the University of Uppsala, investigating accessory genomes and giant TEs in Fungi.
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Daniel is looking for postdocs. Highly recommended if you're interested in plant pathogen evolution!
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Looks very interesting. But it seems more like a basidio version of a trichogyne than some to do with HGT.
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Based on the loss of flagellated spores, fungi adapted to land ~100 million years before land plants emerged. I think it makes more sense that those early fungi domesticated plants/algae rather than the other way around.
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When I teach about fungal sex I still use male and female as it's quite useful, fungal sex is confusing enough as is. But I explicitly address that those words have other connotations in humans and say that I'm only using them in a fungal sense. I've gotten positive feedback from students on this.
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Given the roles of ACs in virulence, this has major impact on our understanding of the evolution of pathogenicity in fungi.
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We propose a model where the Spok genes prevent the loss of accessory chromosomes through their toxin/antidote function. The Spoks also likely influence the origin of ACs (as seen in F. poae), as well as their transfer between strains via parasex.
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One of the greater mysteries involving accessory chromosomes in Fusarium, is why they are relatively stably maintained when propagated under lab conditions, where there should be no selective advantage to harbouring them.
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Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Spok genes in F. poae originated from horizontal transfer from F. oxysporum. This transfer was possibly mediated by giant transposons called Starships.
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F. poae is particularly interesting, as it is closely related to F. graminearum, but unlike that species, possesses accessory chromosomes. These chromosomes are enriched for Spok genes.
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We used a yeast system to demonstrate that two Spok genes from Fusarium poae (FuSpok1 & FuSpok2) function as both toxins and antidotes.
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I would really appreciate a wide sharing of this post, as the candidate profile I am looking for is outside of my regular circle. Thank you so much. More info and how to apply here: uu.varbi.com/se/what:job/... (2/2)
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If you find this type of work interesting, we are currently looking for a postdoc to join the lab. Applications close Friday. uu.varbi.com/what:job/job...