Michael R. Thon

Genome-wide structural variants uncover strain-specific genes and evolutionary genomic determinants of a fungal maize pathogen

This study identifies strain-specific genes and evolutionary genomic features in the fungal maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola through structural variant analysis and machine learning.

Gene duplication drove functional divergence of two effectors in the maize anthracnose pathogen

The paper identifies CgEP4 as a critical effector in maize anthracnose pathogen, showing its role in virulence and host colonization through functional and evolutionary analysis.

Adaptive genomic compartments shaped by giant mobile elements underpin the ancient emergence of fungal pathogenicity

The paper identifies a Starship transposable element-derived genomic region containing a PKS-NRPS gene cluster essential for pathogenicity in Colletotrichum lupini.

Long-distance gene flow and recombination shape the evolutionary history of a maize pathogen

This study investigates the evolutionary history of the maize pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola, revealing geographic differentiation, long-distance gene flow, and recombination shaping its global genomic structure.

Population genomics provide insights into the global genetic structure of Colletotrichum graminicola, the causal agent of maize anthracnose

This study uses population genomics to analyze genetic diversity and reproductive biology of Colletotrichum graminicola, revealing global genetic structure and evidence of sexual recombination.