The MiAGR collection - Forest Pathology section refers to the Laboratory of Forest Pathology and the Laboratory of Phytopathological Biotechnologies of Forest trees, both located in the Plant Pathology Unity at the DISAFA.  

The two laboratories have extensive and documented expertise in the fields of phytopathology, mycology, fungal biology and genetics. The laboratories are equipped with all the instruments required for basic and advanced research in phytopathology and molecular biology. The equipment of the laboratories includes: laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, microscopes, refrigerators, PCR thermocyclers, Real Time PCR instruments, gel electrophoresis devices, visualization devices and softwares for gel analysis. The structure also harbour a climatic chamber.

 

The collection includes more than 3000 fungal isolates obtained during research studies and field surveys on pathogens affecting forest and ornamental trees. Approximately 700 strains of Ascomycota and 2600 lignivorous Basidiomycetes are collected and stored, including important pathogenic species on forest trees such as Heterobasidion annosum s.l. and species affecting tree orchards, such as Cryphonectria parasitica and Gnomoniopsis castaneae. Some Zygomycota and Oomycota species are also present. Most of isolates of the collection are stored in two distinct refrigerators located in different floors of the Plant Pathology Unity. The collection represents a powerful resource for applied research in forest pathology, from molecular diagnostics tool development to large-scale epidemiological studies.

 

The Principal Investigator and responsible of the Laboratories is Prof. Paolo Gonthier. Dr. Luana Giordano, Dr. Guglielmo Lione and Dr. Fabiano Sillo, as post doc researchers, collaborate to the research activities.

 

The Director of the DISAFA is Prof. Carlo Grignani. The Administrative Officer of the DISAFA is Dr. Antonella Valerio.