Projet ANR DYNAMycs
ANR-24-CE34-4957
About the project
The DYNAMycs project aims to identify the specific factors that trigger the trophic shift of the fungus Fusarium verticillioides from endophyte to pathogen.
F. verticillioides is a major agent of rot in maize and produces mycotoxins, including fumonisins, which are among the top three mycotoxins of global concern. The core hypothesis is that this trophic switch requires metabolic, transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming, induced by the plant-fungus cross-talk and abiotic factors. The project proposes an innovative, multidisciplinary approach, combining fungal biology, plant pathology, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics, to address this multifactorial complex issue.
The ultimate goal is to decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms and develop strategies to control the fungus's pathogenicity which is correlated with mycotoxins biosynthesis.
Starting point
F. verticillioides main host is maize, first symptomlessly as an endophyte, and able to cause rot on cobs, roots and stem secondly in the necrotrophic stage. The specific environmental (biotic or abiotic) factors governing this trophic switch are currently poorly understood. Preliminary studies, using the OSMAC approach on various media, revealed that the fungus produces high amounts of various mycotoxins when cultivated on Poaceae-based media, and along culture times. These preliminary studies show that nutrition is able to trigger the activation on different levels and times of gene clusters of mycotoxins biosynthesis. These firsts insights were reinforced by field observation with kernel sampling across Benin, Mauritania and other African countries, where a large proportion of contaminated (above codex alimentarius limits) samples were found.
Support from local communities
The project has a clear plan for engagement with stakeholders beyond the scientific community. Results will be shared with key groups, including farmers, policymakers, and industrialists, to facilitate knowledge transfer and real-world application of the research. Dissemination activities include actively participating in science festivals and public lectures, as well as media initiatives like interviews and press releases. By focusing on maize and mycotoxin contamination, the project's relevance extends to both agricultural challenges and public health concerns.
End result
The expected results include identifying key genes and signaling pathways that orchestrate the endophyte-to-pathogen transition. The project will deliver molecular markers for monitoring the transition, a database of these markers, and several international scientific publications. The applied value is significant: the insights will lead to more effective disease management strategies, support maize breeding programs, mitigating Fusarium rot and reducing harmful mycotoxins contamination for improved food safety.
Ultimately, the findings should be functionally validated through reverse genetics, and be included in biocontrol trials, to guide the tailored biocontrol of this versatile fungal pathogen.
