ERC Starting Grant · 2025
Mobile Eukaryotic Chromosomes in Fungal Pathogens
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) has significantly shaped the evolution and biology of prokaryotes. In eukaryotes, however, the dynamics, mechanisms and consequences of HGT are less well understood, mostly due to its comparatively low frequency and especially the lack of experimental model systems. Recently, I described a model system for studying eukaryotic HGT, consisting of entomopathogenic fungi of the Metarhizium genus. In this taxon, HGT occurs frequently for entire accessory chromosomes. This massive transfer of genetic material is highly specific, always involving the same chromosome, and is likely regulated by the chromosome itself. Using this unique model system, the MobiChrom…
From the public funding record at EU CORDIS. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.