DUKE MYCOLOGY RESEARCH UNIT
Faculty and Research

Heitman Lab Members

Marianela Rodriguez-Carres, PhD Post-Doctoral Fellow 320 CARL Building Box 3546 DUMC Durham, N.C. 27710 Phone: 919.684.3036 Fax: 919.684.5458 Email: marianela.rodriguez@duke.edu

My main interests are the establishment, development and evolution of fungal interactions with their hosts and environment. My graduate research focused on habitat-defining genes and synteny of supernumerary (extra) conditionally dispensable chromosomes in the plant pathogenic fungus Nectria haematococca.

I joined the Heitman lab in order to broaden my understanding of fungal pathogenesis and become a “crypto-aficionado." Currently, I am studying the impact of the mating (MAT) locus in the evolution of pathogenesis and habitat specialization of Cryptococcus. This aspect of Cryptococcus biology is particularly intriguing, since the alpha mating type is predominant in nature, preferentially crosses the blood brain barrier, and has been linked to high virulence. Among my other interests are the potential interaction between these fungi and insects that share the same habitat, and also the role of chromosomal rearrangements in fungal sexual transitions and speciation.

I am currently supported as a fellow of the Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program (MMPTP).

PUBLICATIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION

Sinteny and habitat-defining genes of Conditionally Dispensable (CD) chromosomes in the fungus Nectria haematococca. M. Rodriguez-Carres, D. Tsuchiya, J.L. Goicochea, R. Wing and H.D. VanEtten (in preparation).

The supernumerary chromosome of Nectria haematococca that carries pea- pathogenicity genes also carries a trait for rhizosphere competitiveness on pea. M. Rodriguez-Carres, G. White, D. Tsuchiya, M. Taga, and H. D. VanEtten (2008) Appl. & Env. Microbio. 74: 3849-3856.

Tissue specific localization of pea (Pisum sativum) root infection by Nectria haematococca: Mechanisms and consequences. U. Gunawardena, M. Rodriguez, D. Straney, J. T. Romero, H. D. VanEtten, and M. C. Hawes. (2005) Plant Physiology 137:1363-1374.