ISLAY

PI BOREA : Cédric Hubas
PI external : Soizic Prado (UMR MCAM 7245 CNRS/MNHN)

Kelps, like higher plants, live in association with microscopic fungi called endophytes. In higher plants, these microorganisms colonize the organs without causing any damage and their beneficial role has been largely demonstrated in recent years. One of the striking features of this association is that it gives to the host a tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, especially against pathogens and herbivorous species. This mutualism is finely controlled by the production of structurally different metabolic factors, which origin and mechanisms of action remain to be explored. Thus, these endophytes produce many “secondary” (antibiotics, pigments, defenses molecules) and "primary" metabolites (sugars, amino acids, nucleosides, fatty acids) whose understanding and role are fundamental. Our goal is to evaluate the potential of these fungal strains to help the host alga Laminaria digitata to deal with different environmental stresses (salinity, light, temperature); and characterize the role of the metabolome (primary and secondary metabolites) in this potentially beneficial relationship.

Financed by SIC EC2CO CNRS/INSU