Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Research Project #443549

Research Project: Regulatory Networks in Cereal Host-Fungal Pathogen Interactions

Location: Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research

Project Number: 5030-21220-068-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 2, 2023
End Date: Feb 1, 2028

Objective:
Objective 1. Develop an integrated network of barley-powdery mildew interactions as a model to dissect immune signaling in cereals. Sub-Objective 1A. Identify protein-protein interactions (PPI) among host and pathogen via yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) next-generation-interaction screens (NGIS). Sub-Objective 1B: Authenticate immune-active genes via phenotyping and functional assays. Objective 2: Identify regulatory elements associated with immunity to exploit in modern breeding programs. Sub-Objective 2A: Genome-wide prediction of transcription factor (TF) activation motifs. Sub-Objective 2B: Validation of immune-active, cis-regulatory elements (CRE)-associated transcription factors (TFs) via highthroughput phenotyping and in-depth molecular characterization.

Approach:
Large-scale sequencing of plant and pathogen genomes has provided unprecedented access to the genes and gene networks that underlie diverse outcomes in host-pathogen interactions. Determination of regulatory focal points critical to these interactions will provide the molecular foundation necessary to dissect important disease resistance pathways. This knowledge can be used to guide modern plant breeding efforts in response to pathogens that present diverse challenges to the host.