Biological Factors

 

• Identification of biological factors that impact the ability of fungi to produce mycotoxins.
  • MPM scientists are examining the genome sequences of hundreds of species of the fungus Fusarium to:
  • develop DNA-based assays that accurately identify species
  • predict what species produce what mycotoxins
  • identify genetic processes that change the ability of fungi to produce mycotoxins
  • determine how and why individual strains within a species vary in their ability to produce mycotoxins and cause crop diseases
  • identify fungal genes that turn mycotoxin production on and off.

 

• Scientists are also investigating fungal and plant enzymes that interact and thereby determine whether fungi can infect plants and cause disease.

 

• Scientists are also identifying microorganisms (including other fungi) that reduce mycotoxin contamination in crops by:
  • reducing growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi
  • directly inhibiting mycotoxin production
  • degrading mycotoxins