Evolution of Symbiosis

The long-term goals served by this project are mechanistic understanding of plant disease and development of broadly effective and durable means of control. The project seeks to structurally and functionally characterize a pathogen-activated host gene that plays a critical role in disease in a major crop species, and to ascertain the potential of strategies to interfere with activation or function of the gene to prevent disease development. As the gene is predicted to function in nutrient transport, the project aims to shed light on the broader question of how nutrients may regulate pathogenesis in plants. The project will further benefit society through mentoring, education, and public outreach that will increase participation by members of underrepresented groups and engage and inform the public.

This project is a collaboration between the Bogdanove, and Miguel Pineros labs.