Molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis
My research aims to understand the molecular intricacies of the co-evolutionary arms race between plants and pathogens. We have a long-term interest in pathogen effectors, which are essential virulence proteins that manipulate host cellular processes. Using effectors as molecular probes, we investigate the diverse strategies employed by microbial pathogens to induce disease and the evolution of novel virulence activities.
Keywords
Plants / microbiology / plant pathology / plant immunity / virulence factors / bacteria / effector proteins / host-pathogen interactions