Investigation of the Biocidal Mechanism of Bacillus Megaterium Against Two Plant Pathogens

Clavobacter michiganensis, the causal agent of bacterial canker of tomato, and certain streptomycetes responsible for common potato scab (Streptomyces scabies, S. turgidiscabies, S. acidiscabies) cause considerable damage to Canadian agriculture. The existing means of control are mainly based on the use of chemical pesticides.

The company Ulysse Biotech has identified bacterial strains that produce biocidal molecules against these pathogens. This project will use three parallel approaches, comparative genomics, comparative transcriptomics and biochemistry, all supported by bioinformatics to find the genes, regulatory elements or molecules responsible for this activity. Once found, these elements will be validated by different approaches and integrated into the company's product portfolio.