Maël Baudin

Research activities

My research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine the outcome of plant–microorganism interactions. My research career has led me to investigate different symbiotic and pathogenic systems, with a particular interest in the perception and integration of microbial signals by plants, the spatial organization of signaling complexes, and the mechanisms underlying pathogen adaptation.

Within EcoFun, I work on the phytopathogenic fungus Venturia inaequalis, the causal agent of apple scab. My research combines genetics, molecular and functional biology, biochemistry, and cell biology to characterize fungal effectors, their functions, and their interactions with apple defense mechanisms. In parallel, I am developing cytological and imaging approaches to investigate the spatiotemporal organization of molecular dialogue during infection.

Teaching activities

My teaching activities mainly focus on plant biology, molecular biology, and plant health. I teach at both undergraduate and graduate levels through lectures, tutorials, and practical classes, covering topics including molecular biology, genetics, plant–microorganism interactions, and experimental approaches used in plant biology.

Responsibilities

• Secretary of the French Society for Phytopathology (SFP)
• Head of the Master’s Engineering Program in Systems Biology of Plants (CMI BSV) at the University of Angers