Doctoral student of the Faculty of Biotechnology was given a grant from the National Science Centre (NCN)
Marta Burgberger-Stawarz has received PLN 136 640 as a result of partaking in the Preludium science competition for her project titled “Interakcja między niepatogennym i patogennym szczepem F. oxysporum: potencjalny horyzontalny transfer genów oraz wpływ na infekcję lnu” (“Interaction between nonpathogenic and pathogenic strains of F. oxysporum: potential horizontal gene transfer and impact on flax infection”).
Marta Burgberger-Stawarz studies in the Department of Genetic Biochemistry under the supervision of prof. Anna Kulma.
Our doctoral student spoke about her research:
“I’m conducting the research as a part of the OPUS project titled The impact of the non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum strain on immunological memory in flax, which is being carried out by the team led by dr Wioleta Wojtasik-Górna, who is my assistant supervisor.“
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lineage is a dangerous flax pathogen responsible for fusarium wilt of flax. Marta Burgberger-Stawarz continues:
“My research focuses on finding an effective strategy to alleviate the symptoms of this disease in already infected flax by understanding whether a non-pathogenic strain of F. oxysporum can protect the plant. I also want to see if there is horizontal gene transfer between the strains.“
She’s looking for answers to the following questions:
- Can a non-pathogenic strain of Fusarium oxysporum strengthen the immunity system of flax already infected by a pathogenic strain?
- Does horizontal gene transfer occur between non-pathogenic and pathogenic strains in vitro and in planta?
- How does horizontal gene transfer affect the activity of the non-pathogenic strain in the plant?
“Until now, the effect of the non-pathogenic strain on the already infected flax or the presence of horizontal gene transfer between these strains has not been studied yet, hence the subject of the project” explains the doctoral student.
Congratulations! We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the success of the research.
By Katarzyna Górowicz-Maćkiewicz
Read here about what projects by the scientists of the University of Wrocław will receive funding under the Preludium and OPUS competitions by the National Science Centre:
Translated by Karolina Szmidla (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
