Molecular basis for pathogen recognition and resistance aimed to control bacterial diseases of citrus

• Grant number: 15/50462-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2016
• End date: May 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Plant Genetics
• Agreement: University of California, Davis (UC Davis)
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Alessandra Alves de Souza
• Grantee: Alessandra Alves de Souza
• Principal researcher abroad: Maeli Melotto
• Institution abroad: University of California, Davis (UC Davis), United States
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/17485-7 - Functional study of genes associated with plant defense to pathogens: focus on the control of Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of citrus variegated chlorosis, AP.R

Abstract

We propose to determine the molecular mechanims underlying pathogen recognition and immune reponse in citros. This research should facilitate genetic engineering to introduce resistance traits into susceptible citrus cultivars. This project will combine expertise on plant immunity (PI Melotto) and bacterial pathogenesis (PI Souza) to study a common problem in both countries. We propose to determine the molecular mechanims underlying bacterial recognition and immune response using a combination of genetic, microbiological, and physiological approaches. These research activities should ultimately facilitate genetic engineering to introduce resistence traits into suscetible, but high yielding, citrus cultuvars. To reach this goal, this project will combine complementary expertise on the immune response of model and crop plants (PI Melotto, UC Davis) as well as bacterial pathosenesis on citrus plants (PI Souza, São Paulo State) to comprehensively study a common problem in both countries. The PIs of this project will equally share the responsabilities for the research plan and have provided preliminary data that were the basis for the proposed specific aims. Two Brazilian doctoral students already working under the guidance of PI Souza at CCSM, as part of the FAPESP award 2013/17485-7, will be selected to visit UC Davis and perform the proposed experiments. These students will be working with the UC Davis graduate studant Logan DeMott. These activities will allow for the establishment of collaboration between the two institutions. Success for this collaborative research will be measured by submission of peer-review publications having students as co-authors as well as the ability of the PI's to submit future proposals togheter. Co-authorships between the group and continuation of the collaborative research are strong indicators of success. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEREIRA, W. E. L.; FERREIRA, C. B.; CASERTA, R.; MELOTTO, M.; DE SOUZA, A. A.. Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca and fastidiosa Colonize Arabidopsis Systemically and Induce Anthocyanin Accumulation in Infected Leaves. PHYTOPATHOLOGY, v. 109, n. 2, p. 225-232, FEB 2019. (15/50462-6, 16/01273-9, 13/10957-0)