Winfred- Peck Dorleku (B.Sc., M.Phil. (Ghana))

RESEARCH INTEREST

My research interest is in molecular mechanisms of plant - insect and fungal interactions: I am particularly interested in understanding mechanisms of fungal colonization of plants or insects and plant defence responses that lead to the production of useful chemical compounds. Plants and fungi are sources of a plethora of chemical compounds, many of which serve as lead compounds for the development of new pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The interaction between plants and some fungi elicit chemical responses that ultimately result in many benefits such as increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, increase nutrient assimilation etc. The goal of my research is to exploit the regulatory mechanisms underlying the interactions between plants, insects and fungi to induce or enhance the biosynthesis of useful plant and fungal secondary metabolites that are of medical and agricultural importance. Opportunities exists now for the:

1. Screening of plant extracts for insecticidal and/or fungicidal activity.

2. Isolation and screening of fungi for endophytic and entomopathogenic activity.

3. Molecular diversity of phytopathogenic and entomopathogenic fungi.

4. Identification of environmental and genetic factors involved in the regulation of plant and fungal secondary metabolism.