Project Number: 5354-21220-010-45
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 13, 2011
End Date: Aug 31, 2014

Objective:
Identify nematode genes important in the parasitism process. Produce potatoes that interfere with parisitism process, reducing damage and lowering the need to use fumigants. Use knowledge gained to understand the nematode-plant interaction that leads to success for the nematode and how to interfere with that.

Approach:
Gene products that are expressed and secreted by the nematode will be traced back to their genes. Interfering RNA's directed at thwarting these genes will be inserted in the plant in expression cassettes. When a nematode invades and starts to change the cellular environment of the root to suit its developmental and reproductive needs, one or more of the genes behind this process will be partially or completely nullified leading to nematode developmental and reproductive failure.