Characterizing host-pathogen interactions between Zostera marina and Labyrinthula zosterae

There is increasing need to understand marine host-pathogen dynamics across environmental scales. Our study demonstrates the value of dual host-pathogen transcriptomics. Detailed mechanisms are lacking for most marine host-pathogen systems. We detail a robust response of the eelgrass (Zostera marina) host and describe potential virulence genes in the slime mold (Labyrinthula zosterae) pathogen; to our knowledge this is the first study to use a transcriptomics approach to characterize the pathogen. This study provides the utility of approaches and details genes to target in future studies and a roadmap to utilize dual transcriptomic approaches in marine host-pathogen systems.