Microbial pattern sensing in plant innate immunity
We focus on identifying and characterizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns and their corresponding pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. We further explore molecular functions of microbial effectors in plant infection and activation of host defense. We further aim at investigating the potential use of plant PRRs for engineering pest resistance in crop plants through biotechnological approaches.
Keywords
Plant biology / plant immunity / microbial pattern recognition / pathogen-associated molecular patterns / pattern recognition receptors / oomycete effectors / Nep1-like proteins / crop engineering