Manfred Ruddat, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Emeritus Department of Ecology and Evolution Biological Sciences Collegiate Division Office: Erman 010 | Phone: 773-702-8796 | Fax: 773-702-9740 | email:mruddat(at)uchicago(dot)edu Subjects: Basic molecular, genetic and evolutionary mechanisms of interactions among organisms.

Research Interests

I am interested in the developmental control of the host-parasite relationship between the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum (formerly Ustilago violacea) and its host species in the Caryophyllaceae (pink family). The fungus completes is life cycle by producing teliospores in the anthers of the dioecious host plant, Silene latifolia. Healthy female S. latifolia do not form anthers only male plants (XY chromosome combination) do. In diseased female plants, the fungus overrides the XX chromosome signals and anthers are formed de novo. Our goal is to identify the molecular mechanism involved in the fungus-mediated change in sex expression of the female host plant. Unlike other plant species, sex expression of S. latifolia is not changed by exogenous application of chemicals or environmental factors. We are currently investigating the possible action of siRNA in this fungal-mediated change of sex expression.

Recent Publications

Garber, E. D., M. Ruddat 2000. Genetics of Ustilago violacea XXXV. Transposition in haploid and diploid sporidia and in germinating teliospores. Int. J. Plant Sci. 161: 227-21

Garber, E. D., M. Ruddat 2002. Transmission genetics of Microbotyum violaceum (Ustilago violacea): a case history. Advances Applied Microbiology 51: 107-127

Birch, L. E., M. Ruddat 2005. Siderophore Accumulation and Phytopathogenecity in Microbotryum violaceum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 42: 579-589

Ruddat, M. Allelopathy. McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, New York, NY, 11th Edition (in press)