Our research aims at elucidating core host processes facilitating the accommodation of pathogenic and symbiotic filamentous microbes and fungi within plant organs, tissues and cells. We utilise the pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora palmivora and symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi and study their interactions with non-vascular liverwort plants as well as with flowering plants. Furthermore, we elucidate the role of secreted microbial effector proteins for development of plant cells into intracellular accommodation structures. This work will reveal the boundaries between symbiosis and pathogenesis and will provide novel insights into plant development driven by biotic cues.
