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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #231571

Title: Past and Future of Immunological Assays for the Detection of Plant Pathogens

Author
item Martin, Robert

Submitted to: International Congress of Plant Pathology Abstracts and Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2008
Publication Date: 1/9/2009
Citation: Martin, R.R. 2009. Past and future of immunological assays for the detection of plant pathogens. International Congress of Plant Pathology Abstracts and Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Prior to the 1980’s, most serological applications in plant pathology were based on gel diffusion assays used with viruses or immuno-fluorescence used with bacteria. With the development of monoclonal antibody technology in 1975 and the introduction of ELISA in 1977, the application of serology for detection of plant pathogens increased greatly. Since monoclonal antibodies interact with a single epitope, it became possible to clearly separate closely related pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and phytoplasmas, or to develop diagnostics that were useful in the identification of pathogens at the species or genus level. These two developments, ELISA and monoclonal antibodies, resulted in standardization of testing for many plant pathogens and the development of mechanized sap extraction devices and robotics for processing large numbers of samples. It also spawned companies that are based on production and sales of detection related supplies and also perform assays. These serological assays have become integrated into certification and quarantine programs and are critical in quality control used for international commerce in plants and plant products. Due to the mechanization, standardization and low costs, these serological assays are the method of choice for large scale detection of many pathogens and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. The use of immuno-capture PCR (or RT-PCR) for the detection of plant pathogens can be used to avoid problems with plant inhibitors often observed with woody plant tissues or to increase the sensitivity of detection by effectively concentrating the pathogen prior to nucleic acid extraction and PCR.