Chenxing Niu

Chenxing (Esther) Niu is a Ph.D. student with Dr. Charles Woloshuk at Purdue University studying the molecular regulation of fumonisin biosynthesis. Specifically, Esther’s research is focused on the transporter-like gene FST1. Deletion of this gene in F. verticillioides has been shown to cause defects in secondary metabolism (fumonisin production), cell wall structure, conidiogenesis, virulence, and resistance to reactive oxygen species. Her objectives are to: compare the transcriptomes of the wild type and FST1 mutant strain (Δfst1) during colonization of corn kernels; determine the importance of amino acids in the central loop and c-terminus regions of FST1; and characterize FST1 function when expressed in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) system. Results from this research will provide new basic knowledge about the function of a gene critical for fumonisin production.