EndoPath stands for ‘Εndophytic fungal progression Pathway in plant roots: spotlight on cellular gates and barriers’. EndoPath aims to provide fundamental knowledge in basic biological questions in the field of Plant-Microbe Interactions. More specifically, the project explores the mode of progression of endophytic filamentous fungi (endophytic/pathogenic) in inner root tissues of model representatives of the important plant family Leguminosae.

EndoPath will provide insight on the role of the physical barrier of endodermis in restricting/allowing the progression of filamentous fungi (endophytic/pathogenic) in plant root tissues. The role of universal (basic) plant cell fortification mechanisms (such as lignification/suberization), as well as the role of specialized fortification mechanisms, in fungal progression will be assessed.

The project primarily aims to ‘build’ on fundamental/basic research knowledge in the field of between-species interactions. Results of the project may provide ideas that can be used not only in agriculture, to create tolerant plants and compatible, beneficial microbes, but also in bio-industry, to create novel-compound producing organisms.