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Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Author Spotlight: Investigating Fungal Pathogenicity Mechanisms in Maize
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Author Spotlight: Investigating Fungal Pathogenicity Mechanisms in Maize

Published on: September 15, 2023

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My Personal Journey from the Fascination for Phages to a Tumor-Inducing Fungal Pathogen of Corn

Regine Kahmann1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany;

Annual Review of Microbiology
|April 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This research highlights key discoveries in the Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem, a leading model for biotrophic fungi. A novel fungal structure for effector delivery was identified, leading to potential agricultural applications.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Microbial Genetics

Background:

  • The Ustilago maydis-maize interaction is a crucial model for studying biotrophic plant pathogens.
  • Understanding fungal effector delivery mechanisms is key to controlling plant diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To recount pivotal findings and serendipitous discoveries in the Ustilago maydis-maize system.
  • To identify and characterize a novel fungal structure involved in effector delivery.
  • To explore potential agricultural applications of these findings.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on key findings and historical advances in the Ustilago maydis-maize system.
  • Microscopic and genetic analyses to identify novel fungal structures.
  • Experimental validation of the structure's role in effector delivery.

Main Results:

  • The Ustilago maydis-maize system has been established as a premier model for biotrophic fungi.
  • A previously unknown fungal structure, likely involved in effector delivery, was discovered.
  • This discovery has led to the development of potential agricultural applications.

Conclusions:

  • Decisive findings and serendipitous moments have shaped the Ustilago maydis-maize model.
  • The identification of a novel effector delivery structure offers new avenues for disease management.
  • Translational research has yielded potential applications for agriculture.
Keywords:
Ustilago maydisautobiographyphageplant-pathogenic fungirecombinationsecreted effectorsvirulence

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