RNA-Seq of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides during the infection of the model moss Physcomitrium patens

Anthracnose caused by the hemibiotroph fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a devastating plant disease with extensive impact on plant productivity. The process of colonization and disease progression of C. gloeosporioides has been studied in a number of angiosperm crops. To better understand the evolution of the infection strategies of this pathogen, the study of this complex interaction has been extended to bryophytes. C. gloeosporioides infects succesfully the model moss Physcomitrium patens (former Physcomitrella patens) causing disease symptoms and cell death. However, the molecular events during the interaction of P. patens and C. gloeosporioides have not been explored. In this work we present a comprehensive approach using microscopy and RNA-seq analysis to explore the the infection phenomenon on Bryophytes.