Genetic Engineering
Understanding the pathogenicity of plant pathogens and elucidating plant defense mechanisms against plant pathogens is essential for plant disease control. Our research is focused on elucidating the pathogenicity of plant pathogens and plant resistance mechanisms at the genetic level using molecular genetic methods, with a view to their application in disease control.
 |
|
|---|
Plant pathogens have evolved various molecular mechanisms to establish infection in host plants. Even among plant pathogenic bacteria capable of infecting host plants, their pathogenicity can vary. Investigating the key molecular mechanisms involved in the expression of pathogenicity in plant pathogenic bacteria can contribute to the development of efficient drug treatments for disease control and the establishment of preventive measures. Currently, we are conducting comparative genomics analysis among multiple strains to explore genetic regions crucial for pathogenicity.
 |
|
|---|
Plant pathogenic bacteria secrete Type III effectors, which act as virulence factors, from a secretion system called the Type III secretion system, suppressing the host’s immune response. Type III effectors exist in diverse families, and many aspects of their target factors and functions remain unknown. We are conducting functional analysis of Type III effectors to gain insights into the infection strategies of plant pathogenic bacteria.