Project Number: 1920-22000-041-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 01, 2008
End Date: Aug 31, 2012

Objective:
The objective of the proposed research that will be conducted at the FDWSRU is to utilize high throughput virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) assays to investigate the role of genes necessary for resistance towards Asian Soybean Rust (ASR).

Approach:
Genes targeted for silencing will be selected based upon information garnered from soybean gene expression studies, resistance gene mapping studies, and soybean orthologs of key defense regulators in Arabidopsis. Using the VIGS vectors these candidate genes will be silenced, or "turned off", in soybean plants that display resistance towards select isolates of ASR. Silenced plants will then be evaluated for a breakdown of resistance by challenging the plants with the pathogen and scoring for the development of disease.