Nuclear dynamics in Glomeromycota
We are interested in the nuclear dynamics within hyphae and spores of Rhizophagus irregularis during development. Glomeromycota can be heterokaryotic yet they are genetically stable, raising the interesting question of how this stability is achieved.
We want to answer the following questions:
- How is the heterokaryon organized?
- When and where in the hyphal network does nuclear proliferation occur and how is it regulated?
- Is there a division of labor among the nuclei leading to preferential duplication of special "reproductive" nuclei?
- Are there patterns in nuclear movement indicating central regulation?
- Are there any indications of nuclear fusion events?
In this project we are colleborating with the laboratories of Dr. Jörg Fuchs (IPK Gatersleben), Dr. Nicolas Corradi (University of Ottawa), and Prof. Paola Bonfante (Università di Torino).