Impact/Purpose:

To reduce fungicide usage required for potato production worldwide.

Description:

1. More than 215 million RNA sequences from potato tubers infected with P. infestans were generated. This represents a >1,300-fold increase in data generation relative to our previous expectation of 160,000 sequence reads. This increase was achieved by capitalizing upon emerging next generation sequencing technology (Illumina Solexa).
2. Bioinformatic comparison of tuber and foliar datasets from potato reveal that while many of the same genes are activated in both tissues when P. infestans attacks, overall defense response mechanisms in leaves and tubers might be substantially different. These analyses are ongoing.
3. We have identified a large set of genes that are responsive in the potato tuber to attack by P. infestans. These genes constitute candidates for genes involved in resistance mechanisms in the tuber.
4. Although this project focused on potato gene transcription, application of newer sequencing technologies allowed us to simultaneously develop a large dataset of genes transcribed in the pathogen as well. Some of these genes may be critical in defining a microbe’s ability to attack certain plant genotypes. Future analyses of these genes may reveal new disease control strategies. These genes also may be utilized in future studies as molecular markers to quantify late blight disease development.

URLs/Downloads:

Final Progress Report

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:08/15/2009

Completion Date:08/14/2010

Record ID: 249510

Show Additional Record Data

Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

State :MN

Project Information:

Approach :

We will use “next generation”, high throughput cDNA sequencing to understand disease response pathways in the potato foliage and tuber. Our data will be integrated into large-scale deployment efforts for RB, a gene conferring foliar late blight resistance to potato.

Cost :$9,996.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

We will use “next generation”, high throughput cDNA sequencing to understand disease response pathways in the potato foliage and tuber. Our data will be integrated into large-scale deployment efforts for RB, a gene conferring foliar late blight resistance to potato.

Cost :$9,996.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Agriculture

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU834316

Project type :EPA Grant