Using modern fluorescent microscopy, scientists studied the genome sequence of the fungal plant pathogen known as Fusarium graminarium.  The sequencing of the genome allowed the scientists to make a road map which will in the future help in the combat against fungus that infects wheat and barley crops.  The fungi are considered as evil forces live in an unstable environment.
As published in the journal Science, Prof. Frances Trail of Michigan State University joined the scientist all over the world in studying the inner workings of the fungus.  As studied with the aid of fluorescent microscopy, they discovered that in some parts of the chromosomes, where many switches of disease and toxins reside, is unstable.  On the other hand, in the other areas of the chromosomes where basic metabolism and other important functions dwell are stable.
What they noted using fluorescent microscopy is that those unstable areas are places wherein the organism is ready to change.  A lot of mutation takes place in those genes.  As observed through fluorescent microscopy, they can change a lot without harming or killing the fungus.  Furthermore, the genes responsible for basic metabolism cannot change without killing the fungus. This kind of pattern has been noted as scientists extensively study the genomes with the use of fluorescent microscopy.  It tells the scientists the reason why a pathogen is called a pathogen in the first place.

Understanding the outline of the genome though fluorescent microscopy is a formidable task.  The fungus is a severe pathogen affecting wheat as well as barley in Michigan and in the Midwest causing the Fusarium head blight.  This reduces production of grain and also contaminates grain with mycotoxins which have been discovered to be harmful both for the human and animal health
When studied carefully through fluorescent microscopy, the Fusarium starts its blighting ways as pinprick-sized pods which spit pores into the atmosphere.  This enables the spores to float over the grain fields, landing on the flowering wheat and barley where they colonize the wheat flowers.  The wet and often cool weather in the Midwest offers a perfect environment for the fungus to occur.
The results, under these circumstances, are fields of blight which can be identified by withered and bleached heads of grain.  When harvest time comes, many of the grains are dried up and white.  They may likewise contain mycotoxins when examined closely using fluorescent microscopy.
There are more or less 14,000 genes sequenced from the fungal plant pathogen.   Of these there are 2,000 genes responsible for making the spores.  The roles of some of these genes are understood including the ones that help form the spores as well as help produce toxins.  It is necessary for the spores to get out and cause a new disease cycle.  Scientists believe that is the whole mechanism involved will be understood, it is possible that there is a way how to control it. Using fluorescent microscopy might help in this regard.
The first step in the process is a better understanding of the sequence.  This involves extensive study on the make up of the genes with the use of modern technology like fluorescent microscopy.  In the case of the Fusarium, it possesses some genes not found in other related fungi that are not pathogenic on plants. This information provides additional clues which will lead to new methods of controlling the disease.