Genomics and Bioinformatics of Plant Pathogens
My work on plant pathogens involves genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and bioinformatics. We have generated a plant pathogen genome sequence and annotation resource, termed the Comprehensive Phytopathogen Genome Resource (CPGR), which is populated with all plant pathogen genome sequence data including viruses, bacteria, fungi, stramenopiles, and nematodes and provides genome/annotation data-mining and visualization tools. In this collaborative project (Jan Leach (Colorado State University), Ned Tisserat (Colorado State University), Tom Powers (University of Nebraska) and Andre Levesque (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)), we are developing diagnostic markers for three pathogens using genomics-based methods. These three “proof-of-concept” sub-projects will allow for the development and deployment of genomic and bioinformatic tools that will enable the broader plant pathology community, including diagnosticians and extension agents, to employ genomics in diagnostics. We are also currently sequencing two strains of the ubiquitous plant pathogen, Pythium ultimum, and will be performing a comparative genomics analysis between the two isolates and with other oomycetes.
