Location: Cereal Disease Lab
Project Number: 5062-21220-025-041-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 16, 2025
End Date: Sep 15, 2026
Objective:
Integrate diverse genomic and genetic data sets for cereal rust pathogens to identify candidate avirulence genes, evaluate candidates based on pathogen diversity, and develop functional genomic and molecular assays to confirm candidates and understand their underlying role in virulence. The goal is to develop predictive breeding strategies for developing and maintaining durable disease resistance in US cereal crops to domestic and foreign isolates of cereal rusts.
Approach:
This project will use diverse data sets developed from various cereal rust fungal systems to use a genetic-based approach for the identification of candidate avirulence genes. Bioinformatic of genomic resources developed on genetic populations such as sexual populations derived from alternate host species or existing F2 populations of cereal rust fungi will be used to identify candidate avirulence genes. In parallel, comparative genomic analysis and protein modelling will be performed to prioritize genes for functional evaluation. Transient assays such as heterologous and protoplast-based expression and stable transformation will be used for functional validation and understanding the molecular underpinnings of virulence. Identified avirulence genes will be integrated into a system to describe and predict the host-pathogen interaction and develop efficient approaches to developing resistant wheat and barley germplasm for use by the breeding programs. Research will contribute to strengthening and safeguarding US agriculture from domestic and foreign disease threats.