Prof. Dr. Barry Scott

Profile

Academic positionFull Professor
Research fieldsCell Biology,General Genetics, Functional Genome Research
KeywordsPlant-microbe symbiosis, Fungal genetics, Molecular signalling, Secondary Metabolism

Current contact address

CountryNew Zealand
CityPalmerston North
InstitutionMassey University
InstituteSchool of Fundamental Sciences

Host during sponsorship

Prof. Dr. Regine KahmannMax-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Marburg
Prof. Dr. André FleißnerInstitut für Genetik, Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig, Braunschweig
Start of initial sponsorship01/04/2015

Programme(s)

2014Humboldt Research Award Programme

Nominator's project description

Professor Scott is a leading authority in the study of fungal endophytes of grasses. With the elucidation of a number of unique fungal secondary metabolites providing bio protective benefits to colonized plants, he has uncovered defining features of this symbiosis. In addition, he has made seminal contributions to uncovering the program that controls and restricts growth of the fungal endophyte inside its host and has shown that this is a critical feature for the symbiotic interaction. During his stay in Germany, he intends to study the balance between symbiosis and pathogenesis in a broader context.