Plant diseases are a significant challenge in agriculture, leading to over 188 billion euros in annual losses. These diseases are frequently transmitted by herbivorous insects. Evolutionary theory predicts that natural selection should enhance the fitness of these insect vectors to increase disease transmission to uninfected plants. Consequently, a microbe may exhibit pathogenicity in one host (the plant) while acting as a mutualist – engaging in a beneficial interaction – in another host (the insect).
A multidisciplinary approach
The mechanisms by which a microbe navigates these dual roles remain largely unexplored, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. are not well understood. Berasategui Lopez will study this phenomenon using an emerging model system: the interaction between the fungal pathogen Fusarium, the leaf beetle Chelymorpha alternans, and their common host plant Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato). To this end, she will employ a multidisciplinary approach including fieldwork collections, microbial culturing, comparative genomics, bioassays, metabolomics and analytical chemistry.
New insights
This project combines chemical ecology, plant pathology and natural product research contributing to our understanding of the genetic basis of symbiotic interactions across kingdoms and the epidemiology of plant pathogens. The findings are expected to provide novel insights into the mechanisms driving host shifts in pathogens and the potential origins of emerging infectious diseases.
About the Starting Grant
The ERC provides Starting Grants to support talented early career scientists to carry out ground breaking projects for a period of five years, with a grant of €1.5 million. 494 early career researchers have been awarded ERC Starting Grants. More information can be found in the ERC press release.