Characterization, distribution and study of the activity of transposable elements in Puccinia psidii, causal agent of rust on Eucalyptus spp.

• Grant number: 14/04803-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Maria Carolina Quecine Verdi
• Grantee: Sarina Tsui
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Around 70% of the Brazilian forest area is used to eucalyptus cultivation, in 2012 there was registered BRL 7.6 billion of total taxes produced by the forest sector, moreover it contribute with more than 4.3 million of total jobs. However, this specie is vulnerable to infections caused by pathogens along its development cycle, rust is the major disease that affects the eucalyptus fields and is related to the fungus, Puccinia psidii Winter. Genomics studies about this pathogen should be conducted, since knowledge about its genetics and mechanisms of pathogenicity is scarce. Transposable elements are repeated DNA that have the capacity to migrate and then influence the organization, integrity and development of the host genome, also related to the gene expression regulation in different species. This study aims to analyze P. psidii transposable elements through functional annotation of partial genome sequence, the transposons will be detected, selected and then, classified, quantified and have silencing mechanisms performed. The major transposable elements subfamilies will be emphasized to elucidate possible processes influenced by these elements. Finally, using an efficient technique known as TAIL-PCR (Thermal Asymmetric Interlaced PCR), sequences flanking the major transposable elements will be sequenced and identified. Thus, aiming to better understand phytopathogenic genome evolution also the complex plant pathogen interaction for the development of novel control strategies.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

TSUI, Sarina. Deciphering the transposable elements in Puccinia psidii Winter, causal agent of rust on Eucalyptus spp.. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC) Piracicaba.