Topics for Final Theses

The topics for theses focus on our current research projects in the field of plant resistance to pathogens and breeding of ornamental and crop plants. As pathosystems we address usually roses, potatoes and phytopathogenic fungi, but also nematodes.

We offer master's thesis topics based on our current research interests in arbuscular mycorrhizae. Traditionally, our topics include cloning of reporter gene fusions and knockdown/knockout constructs. The intent of the latter is to use RNA interference or CRISPR/Cas to down-regulate or knockout the expression of candidate genes. The constructs are expressed in transgenic Medicago truncatula roots, which are subsequently analyzed transcriptionally, histologically, and phenotypically. The aim of the work is the elucidation of the function of selected genes for the formation of an arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.