Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a mutualistic interaction between plants and fungi. Most trees in temperate forests show colonization of fine roots by ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). The trees benefit from this symbiosis by easier access to water and mineral nutrients, and the fungi acquire carbohydrates from the trees. Many studies have focused on ectomycorrhizal interaction, and for example transcriptomic analysis has identified a huge number of genes as differentially regulated during the onset and / or maintenance of symbiosis. Yet, molecular analysis of mycorrhizal interaction partners in laboratory model systems as well as functional analysis of genes remains scarce.

To establish such models, we morphologically and genetically analyze ECM from fine roots in temperate forests. Microscopic analysis is complemented by DNA isolation and sequencing of different morphotypes. Further, we work on transformation systems for ECM that are able to grow in the lab and are able to mycorrhize poplar trees, a genetically tractable system. This will enable us to analyze the basis for initiation and maintenance of the ECM symbiosis on a molecular level.