Tag: Plant Hosts

Most flowering plants develop mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to improve access to essential mineral nutrients. The fungal endosymbionts are housed in membrane-bound compartments within root cells. Our research combines genetic, genomic and cell biology approaches to dissect the plant and fungal cellular[...]

I am a theoretical ecologist working on disease transmission in multi-species communities characterized by functional traits. Students and postdocs in my research group have worked on a variety of projects related to control of invasive species in heterogeneous landscapes.

Numerous studies demonstrate that vector-borne pathogens influence host characteristics, resulting in altered host-vector interactions and enhanced 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[...]

My research program explores soil microbiome dynamics and their impacts on ecosystem and plant health. Students will use genomics and culture-based experiments to understand how soil bacteria response to plant root exudates. They will gain skills in microbiology and bioinformatics, and learn concepts in community[...]

Our research centers on crop diseases caused by bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas, focusing on TAL effector proteins injected by the bacteria to manipulate expression of specific host genes important for disease development. Our lab also studies plant disease resistance mechanisms triggered by TAL effectors[...]

Information for non-Cornell students on the NSF-funded Microbial Friends & Foes REU; and information for current Cornell students on CIHMID’s URE.