Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Plant Biology

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Specific disease resistance is manifested by a hypersensitive response (HR) to the pathogen that includes localized necrosis, production of phytoalexins, and changes in cell wall structure. Specific R/A mediated HR's often differ phenotypically, even among congenic lines of plants. This observation suggests that an R/A gene interaction does not simply trigger a universal plant defense response. Instead, the defense response may, in part, be uniquely specified by the interactive R/A gene pair. This hypothesis will be tested by comparing, at the molecular genetic level, two specific R/A gene interactions in the Capsicum annuum/Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria interaction (bacterial leaf spot disease of green pepper). As part of this comparison the specific R genes will be identified and cloned. Once a specific resistance gene is cloned many experiments can be done that will elucidate the mechanisms of specific disease resistance. If a specific resistance gene can be cloned and characterized, a major breaktrhough will occur in our understanding and ability to control disease in plants. But even if a specific gene cannot be identified, a detailed comparison of two different R/A gene interactions at the molecular genetic level will provide insight into how specific resistance is conferred.