Parallels between the arbuscular
mycorrhiza and the Rhizobium/Bradyrhizobium symbiosis have been established and will be used
for training. In both types of symbiosis - mycorrhiza and bacterial-legume
symbiosis - the identification of defence
reactions with up- and down-regulation has been proposed to be one of the
most interesting research objectives during the next years. To achieve this, the
integration of laboratories from
molecular ecology, cell biology,
biochemistry, molecular microbiology and molecular genetics is a second
essential objective. A third objective is to use the results of the network for
biological control in the rhizosphere against root pathogens. Three laboratories
of the network are already cooperating in this respect with industrial
partners.
The network now integrates nine laboratories with knowledge about the
early stages of communication of symbiotic microorganisms with their host plants
up to the latest stages of endocytobiosis
and compartmentation. The new
research area combines identification and molecular understanding, how symbiosis
development and defence reactions are
triggered or avoided during the different stages of the macro-/microsymbiont
interaction. It questions, how they
are up- and down-regulated and
which symbiosis specific genes are
involved. The project will make a
contribution to the molecular understanding how to avoid that a friend (symbiont)
becomes a foe (defence).
Commensalism:
One partner living on the other with no obvious effect on the second.
Parasitism (antagonism):
One partner living on the other with detrimental
effect on the second
Symbiosis (mutualism):
advantages for both partners