Overview
My research centers on the developmental and
molecular biology of lichens, well
differentiated symbioses
between two or three evolutionarily unrelated organisms:
specialized
fungi on the one hand and algae or
cyanobacteria on the
other. The 13,500 known lichen species
represent 50% of
all known ascomycete fungi, are widespread
throughout
most terrestrial ecosystems, and often
tolerate extreme
temperatures and dryness. The
photosynthetic partner is
known to fix the carbon (and the nitrogen
when
cyanobacteria are involved) necessary for
the survival of
both symbionts. Lichen fungi and algae can
be cultured
separately, in an undifferentiated state.
However, the in
vitro reconstitution of a differentiated lichen
from the
isolated symbionts is still more of an art than
a science.
We use as model system the lichen Cladonia grayi and its isolated symbionts. One track is the genomic analysis of C. grayi. Another track involves the study of depsides, depsidones and dibenzofurans, a unique polyketide class of secondary metabolites produced by lichen fungi and probably central to the symbiosis. A third track seeks to develop an in vitro model for the lichenization process, using axenically cultured symbiotic partners.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of the Practice Emeritus of Biology
·
2020 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University, School of Medicine ·
1984
Ph.D.