Overview
I am working as a Postdoctoral Research Bioinformatician investigating plant-pathogenic bacteria with Dr. David Studholme. I try to identify genetic markers and determinants of clade, pathovar and race in Xanthomonas species with a focus on Xanthomonas campestris. I am also involved with PhytoBacExplorer.
In my PhD, I assembled the genome of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans that infects amphibia, investigated its genome architecture and explored the role of repeats and transposons in its genome.
My background is in bioinformatics, biochemistry, microbiology and microbial ecology/ geobiology.
My main coding languages are currently R, perl and bash. I am actively working on improving my python skills.
Qualifications
BSc Biology
MSc Microbiology and Biochemistry
MRes Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology
PhD Bioinformatics
Links
Research group links
Back to top
Publications
Journal articles
Wacker T, Helmstetter N, Wilson D, Fisher MC, Studholme DJ, Farrer RA (2023). Two-speed genome evolution drives pathogenicity in fungal pathogens of animals.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
120(2).
Abstract.
Wacker T, Helmstetter N, Wilson D, Fisher MC, Studholme DJ, Farrer RA (2023). Two-speed genome evolution drives pathogenicity in fungal pathogens of animals (vol 120, e2212633120, 2023).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
120(28).
Author URL.
Helmstetter N, Chybowska AD, Delaney C, Da Silva Dantas A, Gifford H, Wacker T, Munro C, Warris A, Jones B, Cuomo CA, et al (2022). Population genetics and microevolution of clinical Candida glabrata reveals recombinant sequence types and hyper-variation within mitochondrial genomes, virulence genes, and drug targets.
Genetics,
221(1).
Abstract.
Author URL.
Nguyen PT, Wacker T, Brown AJP, da Silva Dantas A, Shekhova E (2022). Understanding the Role of Nitronate Monooxygenases in Virulence of the Human Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.
J Fungi (Basel),
8(7).
Abstract.
Author URL.
Kamran A, Sauter K, Reimer A, Wacker T, Reitner J, Hoppert M (2020). Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy.
Microorganisms,
9(1).
Abstract.
Author URL.
Back to top
