Location: Crop Improvement and Genetics Research
Project Number: 2030-21220-003-003-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Oct 1, 2019
End Date: May 31, 2024
Objective:
Objective 1. Develop transformation vectors for pattern-activated molecular pattern (PAMP) immune response resistance genes expressing transgenic Huanglongbing (HLB) resistant citrus.
Objectives 2. Stack the PAMPs into a T-DNA for transformation and defense response testing.
Approach:
Transformation constructs will be designed to introduce pattern-activated molecular pattern (PAMP) immune response resistance genes to trigger native plant defense mechanisms to Huanglongbing (HLB) infection. Using the Gene Assembly in Agrobacterium by Nucleic acid Transfer using Recombinase technologY (GAANTRY) system multiple genes will be stacked into a single T-DNA for delivery. These modified Agrobacterium containing T-DNAs will be shared to members of this grant for citrus transformation. Plants produced will be testing by a rapid response native defense system readout at UC Davis. Multiple stacked PAMP T-DNA’s will be examined. Once defense activation has been demonstrated with the potential disease resistance the PAMP T-DNA stacks will be introduced into various citrus cultivars for direct HLB testing. The resulting citrus trees will contain citrus-derived candidate resistance genes and the capacity for recombinase-mediated gene stacking.
