Project Number: 1920-22000-035-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 11, 2007
End Date: Apr 10, 2012

Objective:
Identify genomic and phenotypic elements to characterize emerging and foreign fungal plant pathogens. Develop an understanding of the biology, genetics and epidemiology of emerging and foreign fungal plant pathogens. Screen germplasm for resistant sources to emerging and foreign fungal plant pathogens. Per PDRAM for Research on Emerging Fungal Plant Pathogens at Frederick, MD #R07 Objective 4: Develop rapid and reliable diagnostics for new and emerging foreign fungal plant pathogens that can be transferred to regulatory agencies and the private sector.

Approach:
Utilize the Bio-Safety Level 3 Plant Pathogen Containment facilities to investigate and characterize virulence, genetic variability, epidemiology, host range, and survival of foreign and emerging fungal plant pathogens considered to be a threat to the U.S. Establish pathogen collections, compare exotic and endemic isolates for morphology, virulence, and genomics using a variety of scientific methods. Develop detection techniques using PCR and immunological methodologies. Investigate pathogen genomics and host plant resistance using classical and molecular approaches.