Plants are constantly exposed to both beneficial and pathogenic microbes, and the interaction with these microorganisms determine plant survival and fitness. In order to distinguish between these microbes, plants perceive so-called MAMPs (microbe-associated molecular patterns), that trigger either defense responses or lead to symbiotic relationships. During her studies, Winnie Füchtbauer researched a specific plant receptor family (LysM receptor family) which perceives carbohydrate molecules. In her research, she focused on two beneficial symbionts (nitrogen fixing bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhiza) as well as the cosmopolitan pathogen Phytopthora palmivora. The Phytopthora genus is an oomycete, best known for the devastating damage it caused in Ireland during the potato famine.

One of the main findings was that a LysM receptor kinase is involved in the defense response towards this pathogen, and it contributes to an increased understanding of the pathogen infection, which might lead to improved methods for pathogen control or breeding of resistant plants in the future.

The PhD degree was completed at the Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Science and Technology, Aarhus University.

This résumé is prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Thursday 16 June 2016 at 13.15.
Place: Building 1252, room 310, Jeppe Vontillius (Lakeside Lecture Theatres), Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C
Title of dissertation: The role of two LysM receptor-like kinases in symbiosis and pathogenesis
Contact information: Winnie Füchtbauer, winnief@mbg.au.dk
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Uta Paszkowski, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge
Associate Professor Michael Foged Lyngkjær, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Section for Plant Biochemistry, University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Knud Erik Larsen (chair), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Main supervisor:
Professor Jens Stougaard, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Simona Radutoiu, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The dissertation is available for reading at the Graduate School of Science and Technology/GSST, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1520, rooms 128-134, 8000 Aarhus C.