Alan Wanke

Postdoctoral Researcher @Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University Slcu

Cambridge, GB

Research topic:\"Studying the function and evolution of ancient mycorrhizal symbioses between plants fungi.\"Supervisor: Dr. Sebastian SchornackThe fossil record documents that the transition of plants from water to land was accompanied by close interactions with different fungi. Today, approximately 90% of all land plants form partnerships with various mycorrhizal fungi. While all of these interactions involve mutualistic carbon-for-nutrient exchange between the host and the fungus, the molecular principles governing reciprocal perception, fungal colonisation of the host tissue, intracellular accommodation, and nutrient transfer vary among different types of mycorrhizas. During my stay at the Sainsbury Laboratory, I am particularly interested in exploring the following research questions: What host mechanisms contribute to the compartmentalisation of fungal colonisation to distinct host tissues? Does our understanding of mycorrhizal interactions gained from studying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi also apply to alternative mycorrhizal interactions (e.g. Mucoromycotina Fine Root Endophytes)?