Project Number: 5305-22000-014-06
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2012
End Date: Jun 30, 2015

Objective:
The objective of the project is to further develop molecular diagnostic techniques we are currently working on to broaden their utility to the regulatory and diagnostic infrastructure in California and else where in the USA. Will also be collaborating with the CDFA diagnostic lab in Sacramento to ensure the techniques developed will be compatible with current workflow and to improve tech transfer to the end user of the technology.

Approach:
We have developed a molecular diagnostic procedure for detection of Phytophthora in infected plant tissue where a genus specific marker is combined with a species-specific marker to identify species of regulatory concern (eg. P. ramorum). While markers have been developed for 12 species, this project will expand this to include other species that are important to agriculture. In addition to real-time PCR other technologies will be examined to see if they will be suitable for reducing the cost and time commitment for conducting the assays.