Professor Scott's major area of research is fungal-plant symbiosis. His group is interested in understanding the molecular and cellular basis for establishment and maintenance of the symbiosis between the grass endophyte Epichloe festucae and perennial ryegrass. A defining feature of this symbiosis is the production by the fungus in planta of a number of unique secondary metabolites which provide bioprotective benefits for the symbiosis. The Scott laboratory have cloned genes for the synthesis of peramine, an insect feeding deterrent and lolitrems, indole diterpenes that are active on Ca activated K transport channels in mammals. The group have also elucidated the pathways for the biosynthesis of these compounds. Their current interest is identifying the signalling mechanisms that result in specific activation of the genes for these pathways in the grass host. Another major programme is identifying the signalling pathways that control growth of the endophyte in the host to maintain a stable and beneficial symbiosis. Fungal synthesis of reactive oxygen species has been shown to be crucial for symbiotic maintenance. What plant signals are responsible for activation of fungal reactive oxygen species synthesis and how those signals are transduced to control fungal growth are key current questions being addressed by the laboratory.
