Project

Comparative genome analysis of Botrytis species

A molecular phylogeny was established for the entire genus Botrytis, comprising 23 species, using three house-keeping genes as well as two phytotoxic protein-encoding genes of the NLP family. The latter study indicated that NLP genes are under positive, diversifying selection.

The Botrytis cinerea genome sequence was determined and compared to its sister taxon Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and other ascomycetes. No genes were identified that may act as ‘silver bullets’ explaining the success of these devastating pathogens.

Current studies focus on genome sequencing of 10 additional Botrytis species, in order to study the discrepancy between B. cinerea (having a wide host range) and all other Botrytis species (having a narrow host range).