Can fungal pathogens manipulate the plant microbiome to aid infection? PhD student Leonhard Pachinger shows Z. tritici expression of killer-like protein effectors KP-4 & KP-6 that inhibit apoplastic bacteria, suggesting a microbiome-targeting strategy during infection. 🗓️ Poster P-217 #2025ISMPMI

Can fungal pathogens hijack host signaling peptides? Our PhD student Maxim Faroux @molecularmax.bsky.social uncovers a Zymoseptoria KEX2-processed effector putatively mimicking the plant hormone peptide phytosulfokine (PSK) known to lower immunity against hemibiotrophs. 🗓️ Poster P-226 #2025ISMPMI

What makes wild wheat resistant to domestic Zymoseptoria? Our PhD student Rune Hansen found wild wheat relatives that stop infection by domestic Zymoseptoria at the stomata, with a pool of candidate genes that could potentially boost resistance in domestic wheat. 🗓️ Poster P-015 #2025ISMPMI