Ectomycorrhizal fungi - the relationships involved in genetic control - Dr. Jonathan Plett

Dr. Jonathan Plett is a senior lecturer in plant-microbe interactions at Western Sydney University, Australia. Dr. Plett did his PhD at Queen's University in Canada in the area of plant hormone perception and disease immunity using both Arabidopsis and Populus as model organisms. The aim of his research program is to compare and contrast the genetic traits that underpin the relationship of pathogenic and mutualistic fungi with their hosts. One of the key areas of focus for Dr. Plett is the role of fungal ‘signals’ in establishing and manipulating the outcome of these interactions with tree roots. Dr. Plett uses plant hosts from forestry contexts combined with their associated oomycete, and fungal partners to tackle these complex questions. He specializes in combining a range of different techniques from molecular biology and biochemistry, including genomic and transcriptomic analysis, protein:protein interaction assays, enzymatic tests as well as the creation and characterization of mutant organisms to achieve his research goals.