Tag: Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection

Numerous studies demonstrate that vector-borne pathogens, such as viruses, influence host characteristics that result in altered host-vector interactions and enhanced virus transmission. We seek to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon and use this knowledge to develop innovative control strategies using genetic and biochemical approaches. Current focuses are on changes in plant signaling […]

The Whittaker lab’s paper out in mBio that looks deeper into coronaviruses and their relationship to the superfamily Musteloidea. PAPER:  https://mbio.asm.org/content/12/1/e02873-20  

Assoc. Prof. Teresa Pawlowska discusses her lab’s work on food safety and fungi. The full text of the Cornell Chronicle story is below. CORNELL CHRONICLE STORY By Krishan Ramanujan A new grant will investigate how bacteria that live inside the cells of fungi may shape the biology, evolution, biodiversity and function of these fungi – […]

Prof. Corrie Moreau talks about digitizing the Cornell University Insect Collection. The full article appears below. CALS ARTICLE By Krishna Ramanujan As director and head curator of the Cornell University Insect Collection, Corrie Moreau has numerous tasks on her to-do list, including one that could last her entire career: digitizing the collection’s 7 million specimens. Digitization is a […]

The John Helmann lab has a new paper out, “A regulatory pathway that selectively up-regulates elongasome function in the absence of class A PBPs” in eLife.  LINK TO PAPER: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32897856/

Associate Professor Clare Casteel (SIPS) has a paper out in Nature Plants, in collaboration with labs at UC Davis: “Organic management promotes natural pest control through altered plant resistance to insects” PAPER:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-020-0656-9.epdf

Fast evolving RNA viruses, such as rotavirus, influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and zika virus, are a leading cause of death worldwide and represent a major challenge for global disease control. Despite their small genome size, often comprised of only a few thousand nucleotides and a handful of genes, it remains exceedingly difficult to study […]

The Moreau Lab studies the evolution of symbiosis between animals and their diverse microbial communities. Current work focuses on the benefits of microbial communities for ant hosts from nutrient provisioning to contributions to cuticle formation. Methods include amplicon sequencing, quantification, metagenomics, functional assays, experimental manipulations, and more. This work is deeply rooted in natural history […]

The Pawlowska Lab studies interactions between fungi and bacteria using several model systems. Potential projects involve: (1) dissecting the mechanisms of innate immunity in fungi, (2) evaluating the impact of bacteriome on phenotypic diversity of fungi, and (3) examining the role of common mycorrhizal networks in plant microbiome assembly.

Our research is directed at characterizing structures and biological function of biogenic small molecules (BSMs) that regulate development and immune responses in plants and animals and serve important functions with associated microbiota. Using comparative metabolomic approaches we have engaged in a comprehensive effort to characterize[...]