Ph: (706) 546-3119
Fax: (706) 546-3116
anthony.glenn@ars.usda.gov

Ph.D. University of Georgia, Plant Pathology
M.S. University of Georgia, Plant Pathology
B.S. Auburn University at Montgomery, Biology

Dr. Anthony Glenn is a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-ARS Toxicology & Mycotoxin Research Unit in Athens, Georgia. Research within my lab focuses on the basic biology, genetics, and physiology of endophytic fungi and their interactions with host plants.

Much of the recent work has focused on interactions of the endophytic fungus Fusarium verticillioides with it's primary host, corn (=Zea mays). Here, the primary questions have addressed aspects of infection and endophytic colonization of corn seedlings. Seed transmission of the fungus is well established, so both fungal mechanisms of infection and the subsequent responses of the seedlings (or even lack of responses) to that infection are of interest. Understanding mechanisms of infection and the physiological activity of the fungus once it is in the plant is of importance since the fungus produces fumonisin B1, a mycotoxin causing severe disorders in horses, swine, and other animals, including cancer in rats and mice.

The other fungal endophytes of interest are Neotyphodium coenophialum and related species, including species of Epichloe and other members of the fungal family Clavicipitaceae. N. coenophialum is the mycotoxigenic endophyte found in the grass, tall fescue. This fungus is the causal organism of ergot alkaloid toxicosis in cattle and other animals, which in extreme cases results in gangrenous rot of extremeties due to alkaloid-induced constriction of blood vessels. Hence the name "fescue foot" referring to the rot that develops in the hooves.

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