Mohamed
Hijri

Mycology, soil microbial diversity

Full professor
department of biological sciences - Université de Montréal
mohamed.hijri@umontreal.ca
514-343-2120

RESEARCH TOPICS


Symbiosis is a close association between two types of organisms belonging to different species with usually beneficial consequences for both or at least one of the organisms. The mycorrhiza symbiosis is the best example and consists of an association between the plant roots and soil fungi. The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is so far the most commom and widespread symbiotic associations on earth, and concerns more than 80% of vascular plants. I am interested, in particular to the fungus side of this symbiosis known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems and are important because they improve plant growth by increasing phosphorus uptake and confer resistance against plant pathogens.

My research interests are in the areas of molecular genetics, cytogenetics, genomics, evolution and biodiversity of AMF. The objective of my research program is to understand genetic structure, evolution and reproduction of AMF. Such knowledge is extremely important for the agriculture and adjustment of the environment. Impact of a future knowledge as for operation with genetic point of view of these organizations is vital and necessary to the comprehension of their paramount role in nature.

Keywords: Molecular genetics, genomics and evolution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) • Environmental genomics and biodiversity of soil microbes



STUDENTS AND STAFF


Postdoctoral researchers
Asmaa Agoussar

Ph.D. students
Annabelle Bouvette
Zakaria Lahrach
Simon Thériault, co-supervised by Pierre-Luc Chagnon

M.Sc. students
Lucy Ross-Blevis, external co-supervision



TEACHING


BIO-1804: Introduction à la microbiologie environnementale
BIO-2050: Stage de recherche 1
BIO-2350: Diversité fongique
BIO-3050: Stage de recherche 2
BIO-3080: Animation scientifique
BIO-3781: Microorganismes phytopathogènes
BIO-6009: Lectures dirigées en biologie
MCB-1979: Microbiologie générale



PUBLICATIONS


See the list of publications on Google Scholar.