Phone: (309) 681-6368
Fax: (309) 681-6672
Room 1105A

USDA ARS NCAUR
1815 N University St.
Peoria IL 61604

Todd Naumann has worked as a biochemist at ARS in Peoria since 2006.  After receiving his B.S. in Botany at Eastern Illinois University, Dr. Naumann studied biochemical mechanisms of DNA transposition and developed synthetic biology methods at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After obtaining his Ph.D, he studied chemical biology at Penn State University, isolating cyclic peptide inhibitors of antibiotic target proteins. Dr. Naumann is currently a member of a team of scientists working to reduce mycotoxin contamination in food and feed crops. To achieve this goal, his research involves discovering and studying the important plant and fungal proteins that are present in the apoplast, the area between plant cells where disease-causing fungi grow. The goal is to disrupt key interactions between plant and fungal proteins in ways that favor the plant. This will result in less fungal growth on crops and reduce fungal toxins in harvested grain.

Click to Access my Publications

• Projects

  Innovative Food and Feed Safety Research to Eliminate Mycotoxin Contamination in Corn and other Crops In-House Appropriated (D)   Accession Number:438647

• Publications

  • (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
  • TRI14 Is critical for Fusarium graminearum infection and spread in wheat -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hao, G., Proctor, R.H., Brown, D.W., Rhoades, N.A., Naumann, T.A., Kim, H.-S., Gutierrez, S., McCormick, S.P. 2024. TRI14 is critical for Fusarium graminearum infection and spread in wheat. Applied Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3390/applmicrobiol4020058.
    
  • In vitro functional analysis and in silico structural modelling of pathogen-secreted polyglycine hydrolases -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Dowling, N.V., Price, N.P., Rose, D.R. 2024. In vitro functional analysis and in silico structural modelling of pathogen-secreted polyglycine hydrolases. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149746.
    
  • Precursor-directed biosynthesis and biological testing of omega-alicyclic- and neo-branched Tunicamycin N-acyl variants -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Price, N.P., Jackson, M.A., Hartman, T.M., Bannantine, J.P., Naumann, T.A., Vermillion, K., Koch, A.A., Kennedy, P.D. 2023. Precursor-directed biosynthesis and biological testing of omega-alicyclic- and neo-branched Tunicamycin N-acyl variants. ACS Chemical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.3c00324.
    
  • Fusarium graminearum effector FgNls1 targets plant nuclei to induce wheat head blight -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hao, G., Naumann, T.A., Chen, H., Bai, G., McCormick, S., Kim, H.-S., Tian, B., Trick, H.N., Naldrett, M.J., Proctor, R. 2023. Fusarium graminearum effector FgNls1 targets plant nuclei to induce wheat head blight. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-12-22-0254-R.
    
  • Potential role of a maize metallothionein gene in pest resistance -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T. 2023. Potential role of a maize metallothionein gene in pest resistance. Plant Gene. 34. Article 100409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2023.100409.
    
  • Crystal structure of a polyglycine hydrolase determined using a RoseTTAFold model -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowling, N.V., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P.J., Rose, D.R. 2023. Crystal structure of a polyglycine hydrolase determined using a RoseTTAFold model. Acta Crystallographica, Section D: Structural Biology. 79:168-176. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2059798323000311.
    
  • Discovery of a secreted Verticillium dahliae protease that cleaves cotton CRR1 and induces plant cell death -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Hao, G., Dowd, P.F., Johnson, E.T., Naldrett, M.J., Price, N.P.J. 2022. Discovery of a secreted Verticillium dahliae protease that cleaves cotton CRR1 and induces plant cell death. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 123. Article 101941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2022.101941.
    
  • What needs fixing: Identifying new pest resistance genes in maize and determining functionality of coded proteins-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Johnson, E.T., Naumann, T.A. 2023. What needs fixing: Identifying new pest resistance genes in maize and determining functionality of coded proteins. American Chemical Society National Meeting. [abstract].
    
  • Donald Thomas Wicklow, 1940–2021: Distinguished Fungal Ecologist and Model Scientist -(Other)
    Gloer, J.B., Naumann, T.A., O'Donnell, K. 2022. Donald Thomas Wicklow, 1940–2021: Distinguished fungal ecologist and model scientist. Mycologia. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2022.2108977.
    
  • A maize lectin can function as a defensive protein against insect and fungal pests-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T. 2022. A maize lectin can function as a defensive protein against insect and fungal pests [abstract]. American Chemical Society. Paper No. 3737991.
    
  • A maize gene coding for a chimeric superlectin reduces growth of maize fungal pathogens and insect pests when expressed transgenically in maize callus -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T. 2022. A maize gene coding for a chimeric superlectin reduces growth of maize fungal pathogens and insect pests when expressed transgenically in maize callus. Plant Gene. 30. Article 100359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2022.100359.
    
  • Production of selenomethionine labeled polyglycine hydrolases in Pichia pastoris -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Sollenberger, K.G., Hao, G. 2022. Production of selenomethionine labeled polyglycine hydrolases in Pichia pastoris. Protein Expression and Purification. 194. Article 106076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pep.2022.106076.
    
  • Enzymatic and antipest activity of maizewin, a defensive protein from maize-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Johnson, E.T. 2021. Enzymatic and antipest activity of maizewin, a defensive protein from maize [abstract]. American Chemical Society.
    
  • Host-induced silencing of a Fusarium graminearum effector enhances wheat resistance to Fusarium Head Blight-(Abstract Only)
    Hao, G., Naumann, T.A., Chen, H., Bai, G., Tiley, H.C., McCormick, S.P., Tian, B., Trick, H.N., Kim, H.-S., Proctor, R. 2021. Host-induced silencing of a Fusarium graminearum effector enhances wheat resistance to Fusarium Head Blight. [abstract].
    
  • A maizewin protein confers enhanced antiinsect and antifungal resistance when the gene is transgenically expressed in maize callus -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Price, N.P. 2020. A maizewin protein confers enhanced antiinsect and antifungal resistance when the gene is transgenically expressed in maize callus. Plant Gene. 24. Article 100259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2020.100259.
    
  • Identification and distribution of gene clusters required for synthesis of sphingolipid metabolism inhibitors in diverse species of the filamentous fungus Fusarium -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Kim, H.S., Lohmar, J.M., Busman, M., Brown, D.W., Naumann, T.A., Divon, H.H., Lysoe, E., Uhlig, S., Proctor, R.H. 2020. Identification and distribution of gene clusters required for synthesis of sphingolipid metabolism inhibitors in diverse species of the filamentous fungus Fusarium. Biomed Central (BMC) Genomics. 21:510. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-020-06896-1.
    
  • Kilbournase, a protease-associated domain subtilase secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Naldrett, M.J., Price, N.P.J. 2020. Kilbournase, a protease-associated domain subtilase secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 141:103399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103399.
    
  • Evolution of secondary metabolite diversity in fungi-(Abstract Only)
    Proctor, R., Kim, H.-K., Laraba, I., Hao, G., Vaughan, M.M., Naumann, T.A., Brown, D.W., Ward, T.J., O'Donnell, K., Busman, M., McCormick, S.P. 2020. Evolution of secondary metabolite diversity in fungi [abstract].
    
  • The effector FgNls1 is required for full virulence of Fusarium graminearum-(Abstract Only)
    Hao, G., McCormick, S.P., Naumann, T.A., Kim, H.-S., Proctor, R. 2019. The effector FgNls1 is required for full virulence of Fusarium graminearum [abstract].
    
  • A maize hydrolase with activity against maize insect and fungal pests -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Price, N.P.J. 2020. A maize hydrolase with activity against maize insect and fungal pests. Plant Gene. 21:100214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2019.100214.
    
  • Kilbournase, a protease-associated domain subtilase secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Naldrett, M.J., Price, N.P. 2019. Kilbournase, a protease-associated domain subtilase secreted by the fungal corn pathogen Stenocarpella maydis [abstract].
    
  • Validation of candidate maize insect and fungal resistance genes through functional analysis-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Berhow, M.A., Zilkowski, B.W., Muturi, E.J. 2019. Validation of candidate maize insect and fungal resistance genes through functional analysis. Meeting Abstract.
    
  • Fusarium graminearum arabinanase (Arb93B) enhances wheat head blight susceptibility by suppressing plant immunity -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hao, G., McCormick, S., Vaughan, M.M., Naumann, T.A, Kim, H.-S., Proctor, R., Kelly, A., Ward, T.J. 2019. Fusarium graminearum arabinanase (Arb93B) enhances wheat head blight susceptibility by suppressing plant immunity. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-06-18-0170-R.
    
  • Characterization of a Fusarium graminearum salicylate hydroxylase -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Hao, G., Naumann, T.A., Vaughan, M.M., McCormick, S.P., Usgaard, T., Kelly, A., Ward, T.J. 2019. Characterization of a Fusarium graminearum salicylate hydroxylase. Frontiers in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.03219.
    
  • Purification and in vitro activities of a chitinase-modifying protein from the corn ear rot pathogen Stenocarpella maydis -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P.J. 2018. Purification and in vitro activities of a chitinase-modifying protein from the corn ear rot pathogen Stenocarpella maydis. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 106:74-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2018.12.004.
    
  • Characterization of Fusarium graminearum salicylate hydroxylases and their potential role in wheat pathogenesis-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Activity of a maize chitinase-like protein against maize insect pests-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Price, N.P. 2018. Activity of a maize chitinase-like protein against maize insect pests. Meeting Abstract.
    
  • Inhibition of polygylcine hydrolases by substrate analog peptides-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Identification of a maize (Zea mays) chitinase allele sequence suitable for a role in ear rot fungal resistance -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Johnson, E.T. 2017. Identification of a maize (Zea mays) chitinase allele sequence suitable for a role in ear rot fungal resistance. AGRI GENE. 7:15-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aggene.2017.10.001.
    
  • Discovery and characterization of a novel plant pathogen protease-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Recognition and cleavage of corn defense chitinases by fungal polyglycine hydrolases-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Functionality of a maize chitinase potentially involved in ear rot pathogen resistance-(Abstract Only)
    Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Johnson, E.T. 2017. Functionality of a maize chitinase potentially involved in ear rot pathogen resistance. Meeting Abstract. AGRO 0315.
    
  • Recognition of corn defense chitinases by fungal polyglycine hydrolases-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Bakota, E.L., Price, N.P.J. 2017. Recognition of corn defense chitinases by fungal polyglycine hydrolases. Protein Science. 26(6):1214-1223.
    
  • Characterization of maize chitinase-A, a tough allergenic molecule -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Volpicella, M., Leoni, C., Fanizza, I., Distaso, M., Leoni, G., Farioli, L., Naumann, T., Pastorello, E., Ceci, L.R. 2017. Characterization of maize chitinase-A, a tough allergenic molecule. Allergy. 72(9):1423-1429. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.13164.
    
  • Three sorghum serpin recombinant proteins inhibit midgut trypsin activity and growth of corn earworm-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Johnson, E.T., Skory, C.D., Naumann, T.A., Jairajpuri, M.A., Dowd, P.F. 2016. Three sorghum serpin recombinant proteins inhibit midgut trypsin activity and growth of corn earworm. Agri Gene. 2(2016):11-16. doi:10.1016/j.aggene.2016.09.005.
    
  • Quinovosamycins: New tunicamycin-type antibiotics in which the alpha, beta-1", 11'-linked N-acetylglucosamine residue is replaced by N-acetylquinovosamine.-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Price, N.P.J., Labeda, D.P., Naumann, T.A., Vermillion, K.E., Bowman, M.J., Berhow, M.A., Metcalf, W.W., Bischoff, K.M. 2016. Quinovosamycins: New tunicamycin-type antibiotics in which the alpha, beta-1", 11'-linked N-acetylglucosamine residue is replaced by N-acetylquinovosamine. Journal of Antibiotics. 69(8):637-646. doi: 10.1038/ja.2016.49.
    
  • Structure and function of polyglycine hydrolases-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Chaudet, M.M., Bakota, E.L., Naldrett, M.J., Rose, D.R., Price, N.P. 2015. Structure and function of polyglycine hydrolases [abstract]. International Proteolysis Society.
    
  • Abundance of truncated and full-length ChitA and ChitB chitinases in healthy and diseased maize tissues-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Naldrett, M.J. 2015. Abundance of truncated and full-length ChitA and ChitB chitinases in healthy and diseased maize tissues [abstract]. Plant Proteomics.
    
  • Polyglycine hydrolases: fungal b-lactamase-like endoproteases that cleave polyglycine regions within plant class IV chitinases -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Naldrett, M.J., Ward, T.J., Price, N.P. 2015. Polyglycine hydrolases: fungal b-lactamase-like endoproteases that cleave polyglycine regions within plant class IV chitinases. Protein Science. 24(7):1147-57. doi: 10.1002/pro.2705.
    
  • Structure and disulfide bonding pattern of the hevein-like peptide domains from plant class IV chitinases-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Price, N.P., Momany, F.A., Schnupf, U., Naumann, T.A. 2014. Structure and disulfide bonding pattern of the hevein-like peptide domains from plant class IV chitinases. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 89:25-30.
    
  • Polyglycine hydrolases secreted by pathogenic fungi-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Ward, T.J., Naldrett, M.J., Price, N.P. 2014. Polyglycine hydrolases secreted by pathogenic fungi [abstract]. Symposium of The Protein Society.
    
  • Novel mode of action of plant defense peptides: hevein-like antimicrobial peptides from wheat inhibit fungal metalloproteases-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Slavokhotova, A.A., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Rogozhin, E.A., Andreev, Y.A., Vassilevski, A.A., Odintsova, T.I. 2014. Novel mode of action of plant defense peptides: hevein-like antimicrobial peptides from wheat inhibit fungal metalloproteases. FEBS Journal. 281(20):4754-4764.
    
  • Polyglycine hydrolases secreted by Pleosporineae fungi that target the linker region of plant class IV chitinases*-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Price, N.P. 2014. Polyglycine hydrolases secreted by Pleosporineae fungi that target the linker region of plant class IV chitinases. Biochemical Journal. 460(2):187-198.
    
  • Crystallographic structure of ChitA, a glycoside hydrolase family 19, plant class IV chitinase from Zea mays-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Chaudet, M.M., Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P., Rose, D. 2014. Crystallographic structure of ChitA, a glycoside hydrolase family 19, plant class IV chitinase from Zea mays. Protein Science. 23(5):586-593.
    
  • Co-evolution of chitinases from maize and other cereals with secreted proteases from Pleosporineae fungi-(Abstract Only)
    
    
  • Antimicrobial peptide inhibition of fungalysin proteases that target plant type 19 Family IV defense chitinases-(Abstract Only)
    Price, N.P., Odintsova, T., Naumann, T.A. 2013. Antimicrobial peptide inhibition of fungalysin proteases that target plant type 19 Family IV defense chitinases [abstract].
    
  • Chitinase modifying proteins from phylogenetically distinct lineages of Brassica pathogens-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T. 2013. Chitinase modifying proteins from phylogenetically distinct lineages of Brassica pathogens. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 82:1-9.
    
  • Biochemistry of plant class IV chitinases and fungal chitinase-modifying proteins-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Price, N.P. 2012. Biochemistry of plant class IV chitinases and fungal chitinase-modifying proteins. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting.
    
  • Truncation of class IV chitinases from Arabidopsis by secreted fungal proteases-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Price, N.P. 2012. Truncation of class IV chitinases from Arabidopsis by secreted fungal proteases. Molecular Plant Pathology. 13:38-42. DOI: 10.111/j.1364-3703.2012.00805.x.
    
  • Identification of a chitinase modifying protein from Fusarium verticillioides: truncation of a host resistance protein by a fungalysin metalloprotease-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Price, N.P. 2011. Identification of a chitinase modifying protein from Fusarium verticillioides: Truncation of a host resistance protein by a fungalysin metalloprotease. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 286(41):35358-35366.
    
  • Cloning and identification of Fv-cmp, a protease from Fusarium verticillioides that truncates Zea mays and Arabidopsis thaliana class IV chitinases-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T. 2011. Cloning and identification of Fv-cmp, a protease from Fusarium verticillioides that truncates Zea mays and Arabidopsis thaliana class IV chitinases [abstract]. American Society of Plant Biologists.
    
  • A High-Throughput MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry-Based Assay of Chitinase Activity-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Price, N.P., Naumann, T.A. 2011. A high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based assay of chitinase activity. Analytical Biochemistry. 411(1):94-99.
    
  • Modification of recombinant maize ChitA chitinase by fungal chitinase-modifying proteins-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A. 2011. Modification of recombinant maize ChitA chitinase by fungal chitinase-modifying proteins. Molecular Plant Pathology. 12(4):365-372.
    
  • Maize chiA as a Potential Genetic Marker for Stenocarpella maydis Ear Rot Resistance-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A. 2010. Maize chiA as a Potential Genetic Marker for Stenocarpella maydis Ear Rot Resistance. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting.
    
  • Allozyme-Specific Modification of a Maize Seed Chitinase by a Protein Secreted by the Fungal Pathogen Stenocarpella maydis-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T. 2010. Allozyme-Specific Modification of a Maize Seed Chitinase by a Protein Secreted by the Fungal Pathogen Stenocarpella maydis. Phytopathology. 100(7):645-654.
    
  • Maize Seed Chitinase is Modified by a Protein Secreted by Bipolaris zeicola-(Peer Reviewed Journal)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T., Kendra, D.F. 2009. Maize Seed Chitinase is Modified by a Protein Secreted by Bipolaris zeicola. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 74(2):134-141.
    
  • The Zea mays ChitA Chitinase and its Modification by Secreted Proteins from Fungal Ear Rot Pathogens-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T. 2009. The Zea mays ChitA Chitinase and its Modification by Secreted Proteins from Fungal Ear Rot Pathogens [abstract]. XIV International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. PS 5-307.
    
  • Discovery and purification of a fungal protease secreted by Bipolaris zeicola that modifies maize seed endochitinase-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Wicklow, D.T. 2008. Discovery and purification of a fungal protease secreted by Bipolaris zeicola that modifies maize seed endochitinase [abstract]. Keystone Symposia. Paper No. 220.
    
  • Chitinase isoenzyme profiles in seedlings of Fusarium resistant and susceptible corn-(Abstract Only)
    Naumann, T.A., Kendra, D.F. 2007. Chitinase isoenzyme profiles in seedlings of Fusarium resistant and susceptible corn [abstract]. Multicrop Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Elimination and Fungal Genomics Workshop-The Peanut Foundation. p. 3.