Project Page Views: [ 813 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Small-molecule Modulators of Oomycete Calcium Channels |
| Research Area | Aquaculture |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Dr John Mackrill |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | UCC |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 51.892110, -8.493274 |
| Lead Funding Entity | DAFM |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/06/2016 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/06/2018 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | Not Applicable |
| Project Keywords | oomycete calcium channels |
| Project Abstract | Water moulds are fungus-like in appearance and cause disease in commercially important plants, fish and crustaceans. Late blight of potatoes is a water mould estimated to cost Irish agriculture about ?10 million per annum, due to crop losses and expenditure on fungicides. Water moulds are becoming resistant to certain fungicides, whereas the use of other protective chemicals may be prohibited under upcoming EU legislation. Like all other cellular life, water moulds can respond to stimuli from their environments with increases in calcium ions, which in turn control functions like growth, reproduction, movement and death. Water moulds possess a unique type of ion channel, or molecular switch, which allows calcium influx and which is not found in animals or plants. The aim of this project is to develop new types of anti-water mould pesticides, which work by opening these channels, allowing toxic amounts of calcium to enter their cells. |