DSSS - The yeast toxicome and its potential for the control of fungal pathogens and spoilers

Ascomycete yeasts have evolved a large set of small protein toxins, so-called yeast killer toxins, to compete against fungi in the environment. Previous research revealed that these toxins exhibit diverse modes of action, thus, indicating that the yeast toxicome might constitute a rich source of functionally diverse but yet-untapped antifungals. In my talk I will exemplify my group’s research on the molecular functioning of these yeast-derived toxins, their modularity and engineerability towards applications in food, agriculture and human health, and as tools for synthetic biology.