Michael Cunliffe

Cell wall forming chitin synthases in a chytrid fungus

This study identifies and characterizes chitin synthase genes in the chytrid fungus Rhizoclosmatium globosum, revealing their expression patterns and localization during development.

Phagocytosis repurposed: infection strategies in a globalmarine diatom-parasite interaction

This study investigates the infection strategies of the marine diatom parasite Pirsonia using genomic and transcriptomic analyses, revealing its reliance on actin-based phagocytosis and surface proteins.

Evolutionary and biological mechanisms underpinning chitin degradation in aquatic fungi

This study investigates the mechanisms of chitin degradation in aquatic chytrids, finding expanded glycoside hydrolase genes and adaptive secreted chitinases that facilitate saprotrophy.

Seasonal niche overlap of diverse facultative antagonistic bacteria of diatoms in a productive coastal ecosystem

The paper examines seasonal interactions between facultative antagonistic bacteria and diatoms in a coastal ecosystem, finding overlapping co-occurrences and correlations with temperature and toxic diatoms.

A cellular and molecular atlas reveals the basis of chytrid development.

This study creates a cellular and molecular atlas of chytrid development using Rhizoclosmatium globosum, revealing specialized biological processes and subcellular structures.

Chytrid rhizoid morphogenesis is adaptive and resembles hyphal development in ‘higher’ fungi

This study shows that rhizoid development in the chytrid Rhizoclosmatium globosum shares features with dikaryan hyphal growth and is adaptive to resource availability.