Protein trafficking pathways in fungal rust pathogens of plants

This project aims to investigate protein trafficking pathways in fungal rusts of plants. Using both model and agriculturally important fungi, the project will attempt to identify proteins that are transferred within the fungus and to the plant host to modify the infection. In addition, another aim is to identify fungal proteins that are required for the delivery of trafficked proteins to plants. The rusts are devastating diseases that cause major losses on agricultural crops including wheat. Little is known of how these fungi form long and intimate relationships with plants to extract their nutrients. The project aims to provide fundamental discoveries which ultimately may be translated into control strategies for these costly diseases.