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Karen introduces herself :

I've always been attracted to biology, which is why I chose to do a degree in this field. Subsequently, I discovered a passion for microbiology, which offers a multitude of studies and meanings on varied topics such as host-pathogen interactions and the adaptation of micro-organisms that have yet to be explored. My voluntary internship reinforced my decision to pursue a Master's degree in Fundamental and Applied Microbiology at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale.

Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work on a number of different topics, including the isolation and characterization of two bacterial strains capable of oxidizing iron, and the characterization of the response of the filamentous fungi Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium graminearum to water stress.

I'm starting a PhD in genetics as part of the TEAMTOX project, which focuses on gene regulation networks and mycotoxin production by a Meta-Fusarium. This is made up of the 7 species of the Fusarium genus that are mainly involved in Fusarium head blight of wheat in Europe, and this project proposes to consider this group as a single individual. This is a fascinating subject, as it will enable us to understand how the growth and mycotoxin production of this entity are regulated, notably through the study of molecular events (epigenetic markers, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations). I hope that my contribution to this project will provide elements for biocontrol solutions.