• Brett M. Tyler, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis 

• Howard S. Judelson Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside

• Ralph Dean, North Carolina State University.  http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/fungal_genomics

• Callum Bell National Center for Genome Resources, Santa Fe, New Mexico 

Project Summary 

Oomycete pathogens, especially those of the genus Phytophthora, infect almost every dicotyledonous plant species, causing tens of billions of dollars in damage worldwide every year.  The overall goal of this research is to identify a large majority of the genes required by Phytophthora species to reproduce, spread and infect plants.  This proposal will focus on the two Phytophthora species that have served as models for the genus, P. sojae and P. infestans. 

The specific objectives of this proposal are:  

 2.  Sequence 20,000 cDNAs derived from mRNA from infection sites and axenic life stages peculiar to P. infestans.

3.  Identify sequences common and unique to the two species.  Identify sequences common and unique to other plant pathogens.

4. Identify the locations of the genes corresponding to the P. sojae and P. infestans ESTs on a comparative physical map of the two organisms.

The information gained from this study will greatly advance the understanding of the biology and pathology of all Phytophthora species, and will provide tools for developing novel control measures against these destructive pathogens.