(Internal) Building an interactive and accessible database of proteomics profiling in Fusarium head blight

Advisor: Jennifer Geddes-McAlister, Molecular and Cellular Biology

Proposed computational advisor: Lewis Lukens

Climate change is a major threat to the survival of our natural ecosystems by altering environmental conditions, threatening human and animal health, access to resources, and global food safety and security. Many climate change effects on crops are exasperated by the increased prevalence of fungal diseases, including the emergence of new species with increased dispersal and virulence that spread to new geographical and host ranges. For Canada’s most productive crops, such as corn, wheat, and barley, Fusarium spp., cause severe diseases (e.g., Fusarium head blight [FHB]) leading to reduced grain yield and quality. As a main virulence factor, the fungus produces mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), which substantially reduces grain market value given that DON-contaminated feed and food has detrimental effects on the health of livestock and poultry as well as humans. To overcome current limitations in disease management, and to meet the needs of growers and consumers, we will leverage our extensive expertise in proteomics and bioinformatics to explore new strategies for DON detoxification in a Canadian-bred wheat variety. The proteomics data is available and will be used to build an accessible and interactive database for partners and end-users to assess.

This can be a one- or two-semester project. The student is required to occasionally be on-site.

Knowledge/Skills

• Experience or interest in Database building and management
• Interest in fungal disease
• Experience with Big Data
• Interest in proteomics