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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Hosted by: Lynda Ciuffetti

Participants of 2004 Meeting:

U.S. Scientists

Adhikari, T.

Andrie, R.

Ciuffetti, L.

Dickman, M.

Gold, S.

Keller, N.

Lorang, J.

Manning, V.

Morrison, L.

Redman, R.

Rodriguez, R.

Rollins, J.

Roossinck, M .

Skinner, K.

Stotz, H.

Wolpert, T.

Xu, J.

International Scientists

Kubo, Y.

Topics covered at 2004 Annual Meeting :

Kubo Yasuyuki (Keynote speaker): Molecular Biology of Melanin Biosynthesis

Henrik Stotz: Pathogenicity of Botritis

Viola Manning : Ptr ToxA: Hitting Where it Hurts

Theresa Sweat: Genetic Suppressor Analysis of Disease Susceptibility in Arabidopsis

Jin-Rong Xu: Magnaportha: A Mean, Lean, Rice-Eating Machine

Rusty Rodriguez: One Plant, One Fungus: an antiquated concept

Accomplishments

The accomplishments resulting from NCR-173 involve research progress from individual labs, establishment of numerous collaborations, coordination of research efforts to better define the disease process, unification of strain designations, use and expansion of the Colletotrichum repository, and training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians. <br /> During the annual workshops, researchers present preliminary and current data in an environment of open discussion and constructive critique. This helps the entire group focus research efforts on more productive areas and to unite our efforts in understanding plant-fungal interactions. <br /> One of the major benefits of NCR-173 is establishing and maintaining a culture repository so everyone can work with the same isolates and use standard isolates for comparative purposes. This standardization has allowed many of us to avoid generating strain-specific data that could not be compared to other laboratories. (<a href="http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/">http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/</a>)<br /> <br /> Several collaborative efforts have been established as a result of these "workshops" where individual labs are dissecting different aspects of the disease process. We have coordinated efforts to study penetration, early signal transduction, colonization, and the communication that results in the expression of different symbiotic lifestyles (parasitic, mutualistic, and commensalistic). This has culminated in defining future directions for the workgroup which include characterizing molecular, genetic, biochemical, microbiological, and pathological aspects of the host-fungus interaction to help generate biological agents to control invasive weeds and protect plants against disease. Projects continued in several laboratories in 2004 and new collaborations include the study of fungal viruses in fungi that express different symbiotic lifestyles. There has also been some excellent collaborative work on the 3-D structure of fungal toxins and host genetics involved in toxin sensitivity. There has also been significant progress in collaborative efforts focused on understanding the signals responsible for apoptotic responses by plants to fungal pathogens.<br /> <br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: TmsRmn; color: black"><br /> <font size="2" face="Arial">Plans for the coming year</font></span></b></p><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TmsRmn; color: black"><br /> <font size="2" face="Arial">1. <b>Use of information technology</b>:&nbsp; Establish <br /> a website in which information can be shared.&nbsp; This will allow for easy, <br /> inexpensive access of information to all members pertaining to the exchange of <br /> ideas, coordination of laboratory and field research, protocols, contacts, <br /> meeting highlights, schedules, publications, and the fungal repository.</font></span></p><br /> <p class="MsoBodyText"><font size="2" face="Arial">2. <b>Coordination of <br /> specific laboratory and field research</b>: Streamline experimental designs to <br /> address hypothesis driven questions applicable to all systems. Enhance data <br /> collection, analysis, and interpretation utilizing a multi-disciplinary <br /> approach.&nbsp; Coordination of studies and communication via a website based <br /> platform, will result in rapid accumulation and sharing of information to better <br /> understand the processes involved in plant - fungal interactions. </font></p><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TmsRmn; color: black"><br /> <font size="2" face="Arial">3. <b>Exchange of ideas/information/data/reagents</b>: <br /> Enhance productivity and save time and money by sharing of resources and ideas <br /> through a website based platform.&nbsp; Stimulate alternative approaches to obtain <br /> data and address specific questions and/or problems.&nbsp; Foster an environment that <br /> is collaborative, accessible, and mutually beneficial.</font></span></p><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TmsRmn; color: black"><br /> <font size="2" face="Arial">4. <b>Publication of both individual and joint <br /> research/review articles</b>: Enhance the available information base allowing <br /> for the better understanding of plant-fungal interactions.&nbsp; Ultimately, this <br /> information will be used to provide guidance for the development of management <br /> tools to enhance economic productivity and promote environmental stewardship.</font></span></p><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: TmsRmn; color: black"><br /> <font size="2" face="Arial">5. <b>Standardization of experimental protocols</b>:&nbsp; <br /> Enhance reproducibility, analysis, and conformity of procedures by posting <br /> protocols on a website based platform.&nbsp; Standardization will promote consistency <br /> in interpretations of data which will save time and money.</font></span></p><br /> <p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" face="Arial">6<b>. Annual Meeting: </b>Jeff <br /> Rollins will host the 2005 meeting of NC-173 in Key West Florida.</font></p><br /> <br />

Publications

Several of the members of NCR-173 have collaborated on a manuscript describing the use of the Green Fluorescent Protein in studies of plant-fungal interactions. This manuscript has been published in "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" (Lorang, J.M., Tuori, R.P. , Martinez, J.P., Sawyer. T.L. Redman, R.S., Rollins, J.A.. Wolpert. T.J., Johnson, K.B. Rodriguez, R.J., Dickman, M. B., and Ciuffetti, L.M.) 2001. Green fluorescent protein is lighting up fungal biology. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994), and represents a multi-laboratory effort, and the spirit of cooperation that NCR-173 is built on. Additional manuscripts resulting from collaborations established through NCR-173 include: "Fungi from geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park" (Redman, R.S., Litvintseva, A., Sheehan, K.B., Henson, J.H., and Rodriguez, R.J.) 1999. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65:5193-5197; "Field performance of cucurbit and tomato plants infected with a nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph: Glomerella magna; Jenkins and Winstead)" (Redman, R.S., Rossinck, M.R., Maher, S., Andrews, Q.C., Schneider, W.L. and Rodriguez, R.J.) 2002. Symbiosis, 32:55-70; and "Plant thermotolerance conferred by fungal endophyte" (Redman, R.S., Sheehan, K.B., Stout, R.G., Rodriguez, R.J., and Henson, J.H.) 2002. Science (298:1581); Redman R.S., and Henson, J.M, Cornish, J.E., Stout, R.G., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2004,<br /> Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., and Henson, J.M. 2004, The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. (9:261-272); Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., and Henson, J.M. 2004, The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 9:261-272; Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., and Henson, J.M. 2004. Symbiotic Lifestyle Expression by Fungal Endophytes and the Adaptation of Plants to Stress: Unraveling the Complexities of Intimacy. In "The Fungal Community: Its Organization And Role In The Ecosystem, Ed. J. Dighton, P Oudemans & J. White. In Press.<br />

Impact Statements

1. refer to "accomplishments" section

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Participants

Adhikari, Tika (tika.adhikari@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University, Chumley, Forrest (fchumley@oznet.ksu.edu) - Kansas State University; Jurick, Wayne (wmj@ufl.edu) - University of Florida; Li, Moyi (limoyi@ufl.edu) - University of Florida; Keller, Nancy (npk@plantpath.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin-Madison; Redman, Regina (redmanr@u.washington.edu) - Montana State University & University of Washington; Rodriguez, Rusty (rustyrodriguez@comcast.net, rusty_rodriguez@usgs.gov) - U.S. Geological Survey, Montana State University & University of Washington; Rollins, Jeff (rollinsj@ufl.edu) - University of Florida; Roossinck, Marilyn (mroossinck@noble.org) - Noble Foundation, Ardmore Oklahoma; Vaillancourt, Lisa (vaillan@uky.edu) - University of Kentucky; Valent, Barbara (bvalent@plantpath.ksu.edu) - Kansas State University; Xu, Jin-Rong (jinrong@purdue.edu) - Purdue University.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Accomplishments<br /> (1991-2002):<br /> Initiated in 1991 (first meeting - January 1992), and renewed in 1994 and 1998, the NCR-173 group began by focusing on the genetics and biochemistry of host-parasite interactions in the model fungal system Colletotrichum. Studies centered around this genus because collectively, Colletotrichum species cause disease on virtually every agricultural plant grown worldwide, and therefore, is an important economic pathogen. In addition, Colletotrichum species are easy to maintain and manipulate in culture, numerous research laboratories worldwide study this genus, and plant bioassays, biochemical, molecular, and genetic protocols have been optimized in several of these species. By focusing our efforts on a single genus, an enormous amount of information spanning the period of 1991-2002 was quickly obtained from the various labs. The exchange of ideas and data in subsequent meetings allowed us to begin building the foundation for understanding the basis of plant-fungal interactions. Major areas of research have focused on classical genetic analysis, intercellular communication between fungal and plant cells, molecular systematics of this genus, chromosomal analysis, molecular transformation of these fungi, and genetic aspects of disease. These developments occurred, in large part, as a result of concerted interactions among the participants of NCR-173 both during and subsequent to the annual meetings. The resulting collaborations established allowed for the efficient exchange of information, coordinate research efforts and management strategies regarding host-fungal interactions between numerous laboratories in an efficient manner, which separately, would not have been possible. <br /> In 2002, NCR-173 group agreed to changed their name to Biochemistry and Genetics of Plant-Fungal Interactions to reflect the shift in emphasis from Colletotrichum to encompass a number of other pathogenic fungal genera such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, and Curvularia. Over time, we have found that the inclusion of scientists studying pathogenesis in other fungal systems has been of tremendous value. With the increasing scientific diversity in our membership, the title of our group we felt would more accurately reflect the extended focus of our committee.<br /> (2003-present):<br /> We have continually stressed interdisciplinary activities, which are clearly reflected in the make up of our participants. Membership in NCR-173 includes classical geneticists, population biologists, evolutionary biologists, molecular biologists, physiologists, mycotoxicologists, plant molecular biologists, field epidemiologists, and pest management scientists. Thus, this is an exceptional collaborative interaction between a blend of basic and applied scientists representing land grant universities, private industry and government. Collectively, the interdisciplinary nature and concurrent study of several fungal systems the NCR-173 meetings has allowed several laboratories to make great advances.<br /> Studies of these fungi (listed above) were chosen because they represent diverse genera in which major areas of research from labs worldwide are focused. Collectively, these fungi express several different pathogenic lifestyles (biotrophy, hemibiotrophy, and necrotrophy), may show tissue specificity or microhabitat preferences, and produce toxins and/or extracellular enzymes involved in pathogenicity. In addition, classical genetic analysis, biochemical, molecular, and applied field studies addressing plant-fungal interactions are presently being addressed in these systems. By widening our scope from a single model system to encompass several model systems, the information shared will allow us to compile and analyze a great deal of information regarding the universal similarities and unique differences involved in pathogenesis. In so doing, NCR-173 will broaden its scope and generate new synergisms and what was once an individualistic approach, will now take on a synergetic momentum.<br /> Committee Objectives<br /> 1. Expand the scope of NCR-173 by including scientists that study the genetics and biochemistry of pathogenesis in several different economically important fungal genera (Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, Colletotrichum, Curvularia).<br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has widened its scope of interest to all of fungal genera listed above (see pervious meeting talks 2003- present). <br /> 2. Continue the coordination of basic genetics and molecular research on Colletotrichum spp. and Colletotrichum-induced diseases, and expand this coordination to include the economically important fungal genera named in objective 1. <br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has widened its scope of interest to all of fungal genera listed above as reflected in the collaborations established, joint manuscripts published (see below), and grants funded.<br /> 3. Improve genetic resources and molecular manipulation by expanding the existing Colletotrichum germplasm repository to include other fungal genera (listed above) , and apply the advances made in molecular manipulation of Colletotrichum spp. to these other fungal genera.<br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has expanded the existing fungal germplasm repository to include all of the other fungal genera listed above. Advances in molecular manipulations have been successfully applied to other fungal genera as indicated in single and joint previous (see below) and present publications (see publication 2005- present list). One of the major benefits of NCR-173 is establishing and maintaining a culture repository so everyone can work with the same isolates and use standard isolates for comparative purposes. This standardization has allowed many of us to avoid generating strain-specific data that could not be compared to other laboratories. (http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/)<br /> 4. Integrate research findings about the biology of plant-fungal interactions with new information about the basic resistance mechanisms in host plants, thereby providing field pathologists and agronomists with improved management strategies against plant pathogens.<br /> Accomplishment to date: Numerous field research collaborations (previous and present) have been established between labs that have given pathologists and agronomists new insights to improve management strategies against fungal disease (see present and past joint publication list below). <br /> 5. Explore new funding possibilities to enhance activities.<br /> Accomplishment to date: Open panel discussions during and after the committee meetings have provided information to researchers about new and existing funding possibilities. Joint grants have been successfully obtained (see statement of impact) in this manner allowing for collaborative activities to be possible.<br /> 6. Establish an effective website platform for effective exchange of ideas and information.<br /> Accomplishment to date: An NCR-173 website has been established (http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/) for the germplasm repository. Presently, a new website is being constructed by the chair Regina Redman for NCR-173 members to effectively exchange ideas and information (data, photos, publications, and so on). This website will be available to all members as a tool to facilitate the ease of information exchange, and foster the establishment of new and ongoing collaborations.<br /> <br /> <br /> Previous (1999-2004) Collaborative Manuscripts Written/Published<br /> Several of the members of NCR-173 have collaborated on a manuscript describing the use of the Green Fluorescent Protein in studies of plant-fungal interactions. This manuscript has been published in "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" and represents a multi-laboratory effort, and the spirit of cooperation that NCR-173 is built on.<br /> 1. Lorang, J.M., Tuori, R.P. , Martinez, J.P., Sawyer, T.L., Redman, R.S., Rollins, J.A., Wolpert, T.J., Johnson, K.B., Rodriguez, R.J., Dickman, M. B., and Ciuffetti, L.M. 2001. Green fluorescent protein is lighting up fungal biology. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994,<br /> Additional manuscripts resulting from collaborations established through NCR-173 include: 2. Redman, R.S., Litvintseva, A., Sheehan, K.B., Henson, J.H., and Rodriguez, R.J. 1999. Fungi from geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park . Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65:5193-5197<br /> 3. Rodriguez, R.J. and Redman, R.S. 2000. Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the<br /> genetic basis of fungal symbiotic lifestyles. In Host specificity, pathology and host pathogen<br /> interactions of Colletotrichum. D. Prusky, S. Freeman, and M. Dickman, eds. APS press pg.<br /> 114-130.<br /> 4. Redman, R.S., Dunigan, D.D., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2001. Fungal symbiosis: from mutualis to<br /> parasitism, who controls the outcome, host or invader? New Phytologist 151,705-716.<br /> 5. Redman, R.S., Rossinck, M.R., Maher, S., Andrews, Q.C., Schneider, W.L. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2002. Field performance of cucurbit and tomato plants infected with a nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph: Glomerella magna; Jenkins and Winstead). Symbiosis 32:55-70<br /> 6. Redman, R.S., Sheehan, K.B., Stout, R.G., Rodriguez, R.J., and Henson, J.H. 2002. Plant thermotolerance conferred by fungal endophyte. Science 298: 1581.<br /> 7. Redman, R.S. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Characterization and Isolation of an Extracellular<br /> Serine Protease from the Tomato Pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.), and its Role in<br /> Pathogenicity. Mycological Research 106:1427-1434.<br /> 8. Yarden, O., Ebbole, D. J., Freeman, S., Rodriguez, R. J. and Dickman, M.B. 2003. Fungal<br /> Biology and Agriculture: Revisiting the Field. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 16:859<br /> 866.<br /> 9. Redberg, G.L., Hibbett, D.S., Ammirati, J.F., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Bridgeoporus<br /> nobilissimus: Phylogeny and genetic diversity through PCR amplification of mitochondrial and<br /> nuclear rDNA. Mycologia, 95:836-845.<br /> 10. Rodriguez, R.J., Cullen, D., Kurtzman, C., Khachatourians G. and Hegedus D. 2004. <br /> Molecular methods for discriminating taxa, monitoring species, and assessing fungal diversity. In<br /> Biodiversity of Fungi: Inventory and Monitoring Methods. Mueller, G. M., G. F. Bills, and M.<br /> S. Foster, eds. Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, U.K. pp77-102.<br /> 11. Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., Henson, J.M. 2004. The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 9:261-272.<br /> *For 2005-present publication list of participant members, see Publication List in NIMSS website (www.lgu.umd.edu)<br /> <br /> <br /> Plans for the coming year (2006)<br /> 1. Use of information technology: Establish and expand the existing interactive website in which information can be shared. This will allow for easy, inexpensive access of information to all members pertaining to the exchange of ideas, coordination of laboratory and field research, protocols, contacts, meeting highlights, schedules, publications, and the fungal repository.<br /> 2. Coordination of specific laboratory and field research: Streamline experimental designs to address hypothesis driven questions applicable to all systems. Enhance data collection, analysis, and interpretation utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. Coordination of studies and communication via a website based platform, will result in rapid accumulation and sharing of information to better understand the processes involved in plant - fungal interactions. <br /> 3. Exchange of ideas/information/data/reagents: Enhance productivity and save time and money by sharing of resources and ideas through a website based platform. Stimulate alternative approaches to obtain data and address specific questions and/or problems. Foster an environment that is collaborative, accessible, and mutually beneficial.<br /> 4. Publication of both individual and joint research/review articles: Enhance the available information base allowing for the better understanding of plant-fungal interactions. Ultimately, this information will be used to provide guidance for the development of management tools to enhance economic productivity and promote environmental stewardship.<br /> 5. Standardization of experimental protocols: Enhance reproducibility, analysis, and conformity of procedures by posting protocols on a website based platform. Standardization will promote consistency in interpretations of data which will save time and money.<br /> 6. Fungal repsoitory: Members will be nominated to expand and continue the existing fungal repositiry. Discussions will be held to determine the number, extent, protocols, and funding required to establish/expand the fungal repositiry.<br /> 7. Joint grants: During the 2005 meeting, many members expressed a similar interest in studies involving the sequencing of various fungal genomes. It was agreed that members should organize submission of a joint grant in the coming year as a possible funding source. Several collaborative grants ispired by precious committee meeting were prepared and several funded (see list of participant grants funded below).<br /> 8. Recruitment of new members: It was agreed that members would submit names durig the course this next year of colleagues for recruitment to the NCR-173 group. Addition of new and established colleagues will add diversity to the group and offer new avenues for insights into research, information exchange and the fostering of new collaborations.<br /> 8. Election of new officers: After 5 years of service, Regina Redman (Chair) and Rusty Rodriguez (Secretary) of NCR-173 will step down and new officers will be elected in 2006. The offices will be held for a term of 3-5 years.<br /> 7. Annual meeting: Rusty Rodriguez will host the next meeting. The exact location will be determined at a later date. All members agreed that a meeting date between the months of September-November would be best. <br /> <br /> <br /> Personal Comments from Members 2005 meeting:<br /> Marilyn Roossinck: This talk generated extensive discussion about possible mechanisms, etc.,<br /> and a chance for me to interact with mycologist collaborators Rusty<br /> Rodriguez and Regina Redman. In addition, during the talk of Barbara Valent, I realized that we had a perfect GFP expression system for her to use in her rice experiments, to help localize the plasmodesmata. Barbara and I have since exchanged several emails on this topic, and we have sent her the vector she needed.<br /> Barbara Valent: In addition to lively and fruitful discussion of the Valent presentation, an unexpected and extremely valuable collaboration was established. The Valent laboratory had been trying to locate a chimeric fluorescent viral movement protein that moves in rice tissue, and Marilyn Roossinck responded that she had one! Since the November meeting, the Valent lab obtained the Roossinck construct and has initiated studies with it.<br /> Nancy Keller: A possible collaboration has arisen between our lab and Marilyn<br /> Roossinck. I am sending my graduate student to her lab next month to<br /> learn how to clone fungal viruses.<br /> Jeff Rollins: The exchange of ideas pertaining to the dynamic levels of feeding<br /> interactions between fungi and plants and the factors influencing them,<br /> fosters new critical thinking among the group members. These ideas will<br /> lead to new projects for federal funding and perhaps emerge as new<br /> paradigms for understanding fungal-plant interactions.<br /> Lisa Vaillancourt: Lynda Ciuffettis GFP construct was used to produce a new Agrobacterium binary vector containing the same GFP-TOXA promoter cassette. This work was published (Schardl et al., 2005, see publication list.<br /> Regina Redman: A collaboration was established between myself and Lisa Vaillancourt to determine if our fungal lifestlye gene disruption vector (fsl) would be able to convert wildtype pathogenic Colletotrichum graminicola into non-pathogenic mutualists. In addition, the meeting provided for me the opportunity to re-establish a collaboration with Lynda Ciuffetti. During the course of this next year, she will be involved in transforming several fungal endophytes of interest with her GFP vector constructs to look at fungal colonization in plants. Lastly, the meeting afforded the opportunity to reconfirm, discuss, design and extend two existing collaborations between myself and: 1)Rusty Rodriguez looking at the molecular basis of plant-fungal interactions; and 2)Marilyn Roossinck looking at the role of dsRNA in fungal endophytes that confer stress tolerance to plants.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Expected Outcomes and Impact Statements:<br /> 1. Utilization of information technology<br /> Impact: Sharing of information through a website based platform that will provide easy, inexpensive access of information to all members for the exchange of ideas, coordination of laboratory and field research, protocols, contacts, meeting highlights, schedules, publications, and the fungal repository. <br /> 2. Establishment of collaborations<br /> As indicated in our previous and present reports (See 1991-2005 meeting update reports, previous and present publication list, and list of grants), the interactive platform of the NCR-173 meetings has allowed for the successful establishment of dozens of collaborations resulting in many joint publications (see publication list past and present). In addition, NCR-173 participants have been successful in conveying information to the science community and the general public through numerous publications (28 in 2005 alone), many of which were published in high visibility journals such as Science, Nature, and PNAS. The participants have also been successful in obtaining numerous grants and awards (51 in recent years, see below) amounting to approximately $27 million.<br /> Impact(s):<br /> A. Obtainment of individual and joint grants will make research possible to address fundamental questions regarding plant-fungal interactions. <br /> B. Coordination laboratory and field research between laboratories, which will enhance data collection, analysis, and interpretation utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. In addition, communication via our website based platform will facilitate the efficiency of sharing information that will allow us to better understand the processes involved in plant - fungal interactions. <br /> C. The exchange of ideas/information/data and sharing resources and ideas will save time and money. In so doing, a collaborative environment will be fostered that will be mutually beneficial to all. <br /> D. Publication of both individual and joint research/review articles (see list of previous and present publications lists will allow for the efficient dissemination of information to the science and public community. Ultimately, this information will be utilized to provide guidance for the development of management tools to enhance economic productivity and promote environmental stewardship.<br /> E. Experimental protocols will be standardized which will enhance reproducibility, analysis, and conformity of procedures by posting protocols on a website based platform. Standardization will promote consistency in interpretations of data, which will save time and money.<br /> <br /> <br /> List of participant grants <br /> 1. Sequencing of the Pyrenophora tritici-repentis genome has been funded by<br /> USDA-CSREES under the NSF/CSREES Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. (2005-2006). PIs: Lynda M. Ciuffetti and Li-Jun Ma. $577,000.<br /> 2. State of Minnesota Rapid Response Fund (2003). An integrated genetic and<br /> physical map of the Fusarium graminearum genome. PIs: Corby Kistler and Gary Muehlbauer. $49,000.<br /> 3. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley<br /> Scab Initiative (FY 2003), grants 0304-KI-080 and 0304 TR 050. Genomics,<br /> population genetics and development of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $78,000.<br /> 4. United States Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative<br /> Grant (2004 - 2006); Functional Genomics of Fusarium graminearum, the<br /> Wheat and Barley Scab Fungus; PIs: Corby Kistler, Frances Trail and<br /> Jin-Rong Xu. $971,486.<br /> 5. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley<br /> Scab Initiative (FY 2004), grants 0405-KI-128 and 0405-TR-052. Genomics,<br /> population genetics and development of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $87,000.<br /> 6. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley<br /> Scab Initiative (FY 2005), grants 0506-KI-079 and 0506-TR-039. Genomics<br /> and population genetics of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $107,792.<br /> 7. National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture,<br /> Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. Comparative Genomics of Plant<br /> Pathogenic Fusarium Species. PIs: Corby Kistler, Li-Jun Ma,<br /> Won-Bo Shim, Seogchan Kang and Charles Woloshuk. $910,081.<br /> 8. NSF-EPSCoR. Plant Virus Biodiversity and Ecology, (Although not explicit<br /> from the title, this grant also covers a survey of viruses of fungal endophytes) ( 2005-2008). PIs: U. Melcher and M. Roossinck. $3,900,000. .<br /> 9. NIEHS Superfund Basic Research Program, Department of Health and Human<br /> Services-Bioreporter, Biomarker, Biodegradation Analysis: Transgenics and<br /> P450 Genes. PIs: Dr. L.Ciuffetti, CoPIs: M. Hyman, T. Wolpert. $1,410,661<br /> pending.<br /> 10. USDA -- Cooperative State Research Service: Integrated Analyses of Victoria<br /> Blight Disease Susceptibility in Arabidopsis. (2005-2008). PI: Tom Wolpert. $341,079. <br /> 11. USDA -- Cooperative State Research Service: Genetic dissection of victorin-induced responses in Arabidopsis. (2001-2004). PIs: Tom Wolpert and Jennifer Lorang. $299,000. <br /> 12. USDA STEEP -- Improved methods for evaluating resistance to Cephalosporium<br /> stripe of wheat. (1999-2003). PIs: L.M. Ciuffetti, C.C. Mundt, C.J. Peterson, O.<br /> Riera Lizarazu. $75,000. <br /> 13. USGS - Introduction, Ecological Impacts and Invasiveness of Non-Indigenous<br /> Microbial, Plant and Animal Communities in the Pacific Northwest. (20042009). <br /> PI; Rusty Rodriguez. $2,000,000.<br /> 14. NSF - Symbiotic modulation: A mechanism for adaptation to environmental stress<br /> and habitat expansion by plants. (2004-2007).. PIs: Regina Redman, Rusty Rodriguez,<br /> Richard Stout. $650,000.<br /> 15. US/IS BARD - Gene expression patterns in plants colonized with pathogenic and non-pathogenic gene disruption mutants of Colletotrichum. (2005-2008). PIs: Rusty Rodriguez and Stan Freeman. $287,000.<br /> 16. USDA 2001-35319-10996. Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the Aspergillus/Seed interaction. (2001-2006). PI: Nancy Keller and Corby Kistler. $210,000.<br /> 17. USAID RD309-022/2265417. Basic and applied studies on aflatoxin and Aspergillus flavus management and interactions with peanut in the field and storage. (2000-2006). PIs: Nancy Keller,D. Wilson (University of Georgia) and 5 Botswanan scientists, 1 RSA scientist. $448,000. <br /> 18. Role of dioxygenases in Fusarium graminearum sporulation " the US Wheat<br /> and Barley Scab Initiative. (2003-2006). PI: Nancy Keller. $170,000.<br /> 19. NSF MCB-0236393. A global regulator of secondary metabolism gene clusters. (2004-2007). PI: Nancy Keller. $410,000.<br /> 20. NIH Aspergillus fumigatus microarray grant. PI: Nancy Keller. (no money, only awarded microarrays)<br /> 21. USDA NRI (Food Safety). RNAi-Mediated Control of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Crops. (2005-2007). PIs: Nancy Keller and Heidi Kaeppler. $475,378.<br /> 22. ICRISAT. Elucidation of the peanut/Aspergillus interaction. (2005-2006). PIs: Nancy Keller and K. Sharma. $60,000.<br /> 23. Hatch funds Regulation of mycotoxin Biosynthesis. PI: Nancy Keller. ca $25,000 /year.<br /> 24. NSF MCB-0196233. Genetics of fungal secondary metabolism. (2001-2004). PI: Nancy Keller. $235,869.<br /> 25. Noble Foundation  The movement and biological role of dsRNA viruses of fungal endophytes on plant hosts, PI: Regina Redman. (2003-2006). $61,500.<br /> 27. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2002. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman.<br /> 28. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2003. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman.<br /> 29. US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Genes regulated by the Gpmk1 pathway and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum. (2006-2007). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $62,387.<br /> 30. USDA-NRI. Signal pathway activation of transcription factors and downstream targets regulating pathogenicity in Magnaporthe grisea. (2006-2009). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $650,000.<br /> 31. US NRICGP. Molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of the PMK1 MAP kinase pathway in Magnaporthe grisea. (2005-2008). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $385,000.<br /> 32. USDA-NRI Integrative Program. Functional genomics of Fusarium graminearum. (2004-2006). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $980,000.<br /> 33. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Effect of host resistance, fungicide, and weather on FHB of wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $26,550.<br /> 34. NDSBARE Wheat Committee. Continuation of a regional disease forecasting system. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $9,100.<br /> 35. NSF. Acquisition of high throughput genetic analysis instrument. (2005-2007). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Kianian. $459,832.<br /> 36. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Development of markers linked to FHB resistance in durum and hexaploid wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Kianian. $121,122.<br /> 37. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Fine mapping of oshs.ndsu-3AS in durum wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and X.E. Cai. $37,995.<br /> 38. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Hastening the development of specialty spring wheat with resistance to Fusarium head blight. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Berzonsky. $49,029.<br /> 39. USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants, Program- Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions. Function, ecological roles, and evolutionary history of LOL: the loline alkaloid gene cluster in mutualistic grass endophytes. (2003-2006). PI: Heather Wilkinson. $200,000.<br /> 40. USDA Food and Agriculture Science National Needs Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants Program. Fungal Biology Emerging Issues in Agriculture. (2005-2008). PIs: Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson, T. Isakeit, C.M. Kenerley, M.V. Kolomiets, W.B. Shim, B.D. Shaw, M.R. Thon, and S.A. Sukno. (2005-2008). $139,00.<br /> 41. NSF. Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in filamentous Fungi. (2006-2009). PIs: Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson, and B.D. Shaw. $998,319.<br /> 42. NSF. Plant Genome project #0115642. Whole Genome Analysis of Pathogen-Host Recognition and Subsequent Responses in the Rice Blast Patho-System. PIs: Dan Ebbole and Departmental Dean (Texas A&M). $6,200,000.<br /> 43. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $4,000.<br /> 44. USDA-NRICGP. Basidiomycete Specific Virulence Factor Analysis, Sporulation and Host Response in the Maize-Corn Smut Pathosystem. (2005-2008). PI: Scott Gold. $399,000.<br /> 45. Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Board. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in Sclerotium rolfsii. (2005-2006). PI: Scott Gold. $3,000.<br /> 46. NSF PRISM. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in the White Mold Fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $7,000.<br /> 47. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $6,000.<br /> 48. Georgia Peanut Commission. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed <br /> During Sclerotium Formation in Sclerotium rolfsii. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $3,000.<br /> 49. USDA-NRICGP. Genetic analysis of fungal morphogenesis and host response in the Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem. (2003-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $200,000.<br /> 50. USDA-NRICGP. Identification of proteins signaling morphogenesis and pathogenicity in Ustilago maydis (postdoctoral fellowship for Steven Klosterman). (2003-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $90,000.<br /> 51. NSF International. U.S.-Mexico collaborative analysis of the pathways of <br /> control of dimorphism in Ustilago maydis. (2002-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $69,491.<br /> <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. See Accomplishments Section. Sub-section: Expected Outcomes and Impact Stattements. Note: could not upload because these sections were too large. Please modify for next years submission.

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Participants

Tom Wolpert (wolpertt@science.oregonstate.edu) Oregon State University; Marilyn Roossinck( mroossinck@noble.org) Noble Foundation, Ardmore Oklahoma; Lynda Ciuffetti (ciuffetl@science.oregonstate.edu) Oregon State University; Jin Rong Xu (jinrong@purdue.edu) Purdue University; Rusty Rodriguez (rustyrodriguez@comcast.net,Rustyrod@u.washington.edu) USGS and University of washington; Regina Redman (redmanr@u.washington.edu) Montana State University and University of washington; Nancy Keller (npk@plantpath.wisc.edu) University of Wisconscin; Forrest Chumley (fchumley@.ksu.edu) Kansas Sate University; Barbara Valent (bvalent@plantpath.ksu.edu) Kansas State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

Friday evening: Dr. Marilyn Roossinck from the Noble Foundation presented work on a three way symbiosis between geothermal plants, endophytic fungi and a double stranded RNA virus. The fungus confers heat tolerance to the host plant and is responsible for survival of plants in geothermal soils. The research presented indicated that the ability of the fungus to confer heat tolerance required the presence of the virus.


Saturday morning: Dr. Barbara Valent from Kansas State presented work on the cell biology of M. griseae growth in rice plants. As the fungus penetrates into plant cells they accumulate effectors proteins on their membrane/wall surface. In the first cell the fungus becomes either sheathed in plant membrane that moves to the fungal hyphae or the plant membrane incorporates into fungal membrane.
Dr. Nancy Keller from University of Wisconsin presented work on characterizing secondary metabolite genes. Aspergillus species have 30-35 copies of secondary metabolite gene clusters and they differ in composition between each species. The gene leaA regulates expression of gene clusters. When lea is deleted all clusters are down regulated.
Saturday evening: Dr. Nancy Keller from University of Wisconsin continued her presentation of the distribution and regulation of secondary metabolite clusters in Aspergillus species.
Business meeting: Dr. Forrest Chumley our administrator from Kansas State University spoke about the NCR173 program is now NCCC173. He also described the information we need to provide to continue this annual meeting and commented about the positive scientific interaction that occurs at this meeting. Further discussion involved increasing attendance of younger faculty, students and postdoctorals. A site for the 2007 meeting was discussed and decided to be either at Madison or Texas A&M.


Sunday morning: Dr. Tom Wolpert from Oregon State University presented work on the mechanism of the host-specific toxin Victorin.
Sunday afternoon: Approximately 1/2 of the attendees went on a field trip to view ancient ruins at Pecos National Monument. Scientific discussions continued throughout the day and into the evening.


Monday morning:Scientific discussions continued over breakfast and the meeting ended.


Synopsis of meeting: All attendees commented about the high quality of scientific discussion that occurred throughout the meeting. Discussion occurred during each talk making the length of each talk 1.5 - 2 hours. The attendees also commented about how the interdisciplinary representation at the meeting was largely responsible for the extensive discussions and unique perspectives provided during each talk. Although the number of attendees was low this year, the quality of talks and discussions were probably the best we have experienced during the tenure of NCR173, now renamed as NCCC-173.

Accomplishments

Initiated in 1991 (first meeting - January 1992), and renewed in 1994 and 1998, the NCR-173 group began by focusing on the genetics and biochemistry of host-parasite interactions in the model fungal system Colletotrichum. Studies centered around this genus because collectively, Colletotrichum species cause disease on virtually every agricultural plant grown worldwide, and therefore, is an important economic pathogen. In addition, Colletotrichum species are easy to maintain and manipulate in culture, numerous research laboratories worldwide study this genus, and plant bioassays, biochemical, molecular, and genetic protocols have been optimized in several of these species. By focusing our efforts on a single genus, an enormous amount of information spanning the period of 1991-2002 was quickly obtained from the various labs. The exchange of ideas and data in subsequent meetings allowed us to begin building the foundation for understanding the basis of plant-fungal interactions. Major areas of research have focused on classical genetic analysis, intercellular communication between fungal and plant cells, molecular systematics of this genus, chromosomal analysis, molecular transformation of these fungi, and genetic aspects of disease. These developments occurred, in large part, as a result of concerted interactions among the participants of NCR-173 both during and subsequent to the annual meetings. The resulting collaborations established allowed for the efficient exchange of information, coordinate research efforts and management strategies regarding host-fungal interactions between numerous laboratories in an efficient manner, which separately, would not have been possible. <br /> In 2002, NCR-173 group agreed to changed their name to Biochemistry and Genetics of Plant-Fungal Interactions to reflect the shift in emphasis from Colletotrichum to encompass a number of other pathogenic fungal genera such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, and Curvularia. Over time, we have found that the inclusion of scientists studying pathogenesis in other fungal systems has been of tremendous value. With the increasing scientific diversity in our membership, the title of our group we felt would more accurately reflect the extended focus of our committee.<br /> <br /> <br /> We have continually stressed interdisciplinary activities, which are clearly reflected in the make up of our participants. Membership in NCR-173 which is now re-named NCCC-173 includes classical geneticists, population biologists, evolutionary biologists, molecular biologists, physiologists, mycotoxicologists, plant molecular biologists, field epidemiologists, and pest management scientists. Thus, this is an exceptional collaborative interaction between a blend of basic and applied scientists representing land grant universities, private industry and government. Collectively, the interdisciplinary nature and concurrent study of several fungal systems the NCCC-173 meetings has allowed several laboratories to make great advances.<br /> <br /> <br /> Studies of these fungi (listed above) were chosen because they represent diverse genera in which major areas of research from labs worldwide are focused. Collectively, these fungi express several different pathogenic lifestyles (biotrophy, hemibiotrophy, and necrotrophy), may show tissue specificity or microhabitat preferences, and produce toxins and/or extracellular enzymes involved in pathogenicity. In addition, classical genetic analysis, biochemical, molecular, and applied field studies addressing plant-fungal interactions are presently being addressed in these systems. By widening our scope from a single model system to encompass several model systems, the information shared will allow us to compile and analyze a great deal of information regarding the universal similarities and unique differences involved in pathogenesis. In so doing, NCCC-173 will broaden its scope and generate new synergisms and what was once an individualistic approach, will now take on a synergetic momentum.<br /> <br /> <br /> Short-Term Outcomes, Outputs, Activities and Milestones:<br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Expand the scope of NCCC-173 by including scientists that study the genetics and biochemistry of pathogenesis in several different economically important fungal genera (Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, Colletotrichum, Curvularia).<br /> <br /> <br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has widened its scope of interest to all of fungal genera listed above (see pervious meeting talks 2003- present). <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Continue the coordination of basic genetics and molecular research on Colletotrichum spp. and Colletotrichum-induced diseases, and expand this coordination to include the economically important fungal genera named in objective 1. <br /> <br /> <br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has widened its scope of interest to all of fungal genera listed above as reflected in the collaborations established, joint manuscripts published (see below), and grants funded.<br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Improve genetic resources and molecular manipulation by expanding the existing Colletotrichum germplasm repository to include other fungal genera (listed above) , and apply the advances made in molecular manipulation of Colletotrichum spp. to these other fungal genera.<br /> <br /> <br /> Accomplishment to date: The committee has expanded the existing fungal germplasm repository to include all of the other fungal genera listed above. Advances in molecular manipulations have been successfully applied to other fungal genera as indicated in single and joint previous (see below) and present publications (see publication 2005- present list). One of the major benefits of NCCC-173 is establishing and maintaining a culture repository so everyone can work with the same isolates and use standard isolates for comparative purposes. This standardization has allowed many of us to avoid generating strain-specific data that could not be compared to other laboratories. (http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/)<br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Integrate research findings about the biology of plant-fungal interactions with new information about the basic resistance mechanisms in host plants, thereby providing field pathologists and agronomists with improved management strategies against plant pathogens.<br /> <br /> <br /> Accomplishment to date: Numerous field research collaborations (previous and present) have been established between labs that have given pathologists and agronomists new insights to improve management strategies against fungal disease (see present and past joint publication list below). <br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Explore new funding possibilities to enhance activities.<br /> Accomplishment to date: Open panel discussions during and after the committee meetings have provided information to researchers about new and existing funding possibilities. Joint grants have been successfully obtained (see statement of impact) in this manner allowing for collaborative activities to be possible.<br /> <br /> <br /> 6. Establish an effective website platform for effective exchange of ideas and information.<br /> <br /> <br /> Accomplishment to date: An NCCC-173 website has been established (http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/) for the germplasm repository. Presently, a new website is being constructed by the chair Regina Redman for NCCC-173 members to effectively exchange ideas and information (data, photos, publications, and so on). This website will be available to all members as a tool to facilitate the ease of information exchange, and foster the establishment of new and ongoing collaborations.<br /> <br /> <br /> Resolutions: <br /> <br /> 1) Expand the scope of NCCC-173 by including scientists that study the genetics and biochemistry of pathogenesis in several different economically important fungal genera(Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, Colletotrichum, Curvularia); 2) Continue the coordination of basic genetics and molecular research on with several economically important fungal genera named in objective one; 3) Improve genetic resources and molecular manipulation by expanding the existing Colletotrichum germplasm repository to include other fungal genera (listed above) , and apply the advances made in molecular manipulation of Colletotrichum spp. to these other fungal genera; 4) Integrate research findings about the biology of plant-fungal interactions with new information about the basic resistance mechanisms in host plants, thereby providing field pathologists and agronomists with improved management strategies against plant pathogens; 5) Explore new funding possibilities to enhance activities; and 6) Establish an effective website platform for effective exchange of ideas and information.<br /> <br /> Plans for the coming year (2007)<br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Use of information technology: Establish and expand the existing interactive website in which information can be shared. This will allow for easy, inexpensive access of information to all members pertaining to the exchange of ideas, coordination of laboratory and field research, protocols, contacts, meeting highlights, schedules, publications, and the fungal repository.<br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Coordination of specific laboratory and field research: Streamline experimental designs to address hypothesis driven questions applicable to all systems. Enhance data collection, analysis, and interpretation utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach. Coordination of studies and communication via a website based platform, will result in rapid accumulation and sharing of information to better understand the processes involved in plant - fungal interactions. <br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Exchange of ideas/information/data/reagents: Enhance productivity and save time and money by sharing of resources and ideas through a website based platform. Stimulate alternative approaches to obtain data and address specific questions and/or problems. Foster an environment that is collaborative, accessible, and mutually beneficial.<br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Publication of both individual and joint research/review articles: Enhance the available information base allowing for the better understanding of plant-fungal interactions. Ultimately, this information will be used to provide guidance for the development of management tools to enhance economic productivity and promote environmental stewardship.<br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Standardization of experimental protocols: Enhance reproducibility, analysis, and conformity of procedures by posting protocols on a website based platform. Standardization will promote consistency in interpretations of data which will save time and money.<br /> <br /> <br /> 6. Fungal repsoitory: Members will be nominated to expand and continue the existing fungal repository. Discussions will be held to determine the number, extent, protocols, and funding required to establish/expand the fungal repositiry.<br /> <br /> <br /> 7. Joint grants: During the 2006 meeting it was agreed that members should organize submission of a joint grant in the coming year as a possible funding source. Several collaborative grants inspired by previous committee meeting were prepared and several funded.<br /> <br /> <br /> 9. Recruitment of new members: It was agreed that members would submit names during the course of this next year of colleagues for recruitment to the NCCC-173 group. Addition of new and established colleagues will add diversity to the group and offer new avenues for insights into research, information exchange and the fostering of new collaborations.<br /> <br /> <br /> 10. Election of new officers: After 5 years of service, Regina Redman (Chair) and Rusty Rodriguez (Secretary) of NCR-173/NCCC-173 will step down and new officers will be elected in 2007. The offices will be held for a term of 3-5 years.<br /> <br /> <br /> 11. Annual meeting: Rusty Rodriguez will host the next meeting. The exact location will be determined at a later date. All members agreed that a meeting date between the months of September-November would be best. <br /> <br /> <br /> Contact Information: Forrest Chumley (fchumley@ksu.edu). Administrative Advisor<br /> <br /> <br /> IMPACTS (added here due to NIMSS error that wouldn't allow impact statement section to be added):<br /> <br /> Impact Nugget: The resulting collaborations established and information exchange made possible by NCCC-173 have coordinated research efforts and management strategies regarding the biochemical and genetic basis of host-fungal interactions between numerous laboratories in an efficient manner, which separately, would not have been possible.<br /> <br /> <br /> Issue: Filamentous fungal pathogens cause diseases on all agricultural crops around the world resulting in millions of tons of crop losses and billions of dollars in lost revenue annually. Strategies to combat fungal diseases include fungicides, crop rotation, plant resistance, and disease-free seed all of which have had limited success in controlling disease. The ability of fungi to develop fungicide resistance and overcome plant resistance continues to interfere with designing long term control measures for pathogenic fungi. A better understanding of plant-fungal interactions and the response of plants to pathogens is critical to the development of effective and long term control measures. For example, phytopathogenic fungi express several different pathogenic lifestyles including biotrophy, hemibiotrophy, and necrotrophy, and may show tissue specificity or microhabitat preferences. Even within each of these lifestyles, pathogenesis may be correlated to toxins or extracellular enzymes. Clearly, pathogenesis is complex. In addition, the level of complexity surrounding pathogenesis studies is exacerbated by the fact that there are numerous species of plant pathogenic fungi of agricultural importance. In order to realistically make advances in understanding pathogenesis and hence, provide insightful information for the development of management tools, the multi-disciplinary complexities involved in host-pathogen interactions must be simultaneous studied with several fungal genera. As such, we chose Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Colletotrichum, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, and Ustilago as our systems of choice because they represent diverse genera in which major areas of research from labs worldwide are focused. Collectively, these fungi express several different pathogenic lifestyles (biotrophy, hemibiotrophy, and necrotrophy), may show tissue specificity or microhabitat preferences, and produce toxins and/or extracellular enzymes involved in pathogenicity. In addition, classical genetic analysis, biochemical, molecular, and applied field studies addressing plant-fungal interactions are presently being addressed in these systems. By widening our scope from a single model system to encompass several model systems, the information shared will allow us to compile and analyze a great deal of information much more quickly regarding the universal similarities and unique differences involved in pathogenesis. In so doing, NCCC-173 will broaden its scope and generate new synergisms and ultimately better understand the biochemical and genetic basis of plant-fungal interactions which can then be shared with the scientific community and society at large.<br /> <br /> <br />

Publications

Previous (1999-Present) Collaborative Manuscripts Written/Published:<br /> <br /> <br /> Several of the members of NCCC-173 have collaborated on a manuscript describing the use of the Green Fluorescent Protein in studies of plant-fungal interactions. This manuscript has been published in "Applied and Environmental Microbiology" and represents a multi-laboratory effort, and the spirit of cooperation that NCCC-173 is built on.<br /> <br /> <br /> 1. Lorang, J.M., Tuori, R.P. , Martinez, J.P., Sawyer, T.L., Redman, R.S., Rollins, J.A., Wolpert, T.J., Johnson, K.B., Rodriguez, R.J., Dickman, M. B., and Ciuffetti, L.M. 2001. Green fluorescent protein is lighting up fungal biology. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994,<br /> <br /> <br /> Additional manuscripts resulting from collaborations established through NCR-173 include: <br /> <br /> <br /> 2. Redman, R.S., Litvintseva, A., Sheehan, K.B., Henson, J.H., and Rodriguez, R.J. 1999. Fungi from geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park . Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65:5193-5197<br /> <br /> <br /> 3. Rodriguez, R.J. and Redman, R.S. 2000. Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the genetic basis of fungal symbiotic lifestyles. In Host specificity, pathology and host pathogen interactions of Colletotrichum. D. Prusky, S. Freeman, and M. Dickman, eds. APS press pg.114-130.<br /> <br /> <br /> 4. Redman, R.S., Dunigan, D.D., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2001. Fungal symbiosis: from mutualis toparasitism, who controls the outcome, host or invader? New Phytologist 151,705-716.<br /> <br /> <br /> 5. Redman, R.S., Rossinck, M.R., Maher, S., Andrews, Q.C., Schneider, W.L. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2002. Field performance of cucurbit and tomato plants infected with a nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph: Glomerella magna; Jenkins and Winstead). Symbiosis 32:55-70.<br /> <br /> <br /> 6. Redman, R.S., Sheehan, K.B., Stout, R.G., Rodriguez, R.J., and Henson, J.H. 2002. Plant thermotolerance conferred by fungal endophyte. Science 298: 1581.<br /> <br /> <br /> 7. Redman, R.S. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Characterization and Isolation of an Extracellular Serine Protease from the Tomato Pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.), and itsRole inn Pathogenicity. Mycological Research 106:1427-1434.<br /> <br /> <br /> 8. Yarden, O., Ebbole, D. J., Freeman, S., Rodriguez, R. J. and Dickman, M.B. 2003. Fungal Biology and Agriculture: Revisiting the Field. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 16:859-866.<br /> <br /> <br /> 9. Redberg, G.L., Hibbett, D.S., Ammirati, J.F., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Bridgeoporus nobilissimus: Phylogeny and genetic diversity through PCR amplification of mitochondrial and nuclear rDNA. Mycologia, 95:836-845.<br /> <br /> <br /> 10. Rodriguez, R.J., Cullen, D., Kurtzman, C., Khachatourians G. and Hegedus D. 2004. Molecular methods for discriminating taxa, monitoring species, and assessing fungal diversity. In Biodiversity of Fungi: Inventory and Monitoring Methods. Mueller, G. M., G. F. Bills, and M.. Foster, eds. Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, U.K. pp77-102.<br /> <br /> <br /> 11. Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., Henson, J.M. 2004. The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 9:261-272.<br /> <br /> <br /> *For 2005-present publication list of participant members, see Publication List in NIMSS website (www.lgu.umd.edu)<br />

Impact Statements

1. The resulting collaborations established and information exchange made possible by NCCC-173 have coordinated research efforts and management strategies regarding the biochemical and genetic basis of host-fungal interactions between numerous laboratories in an efficient manner, which separately, would not have been possible.

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

With the increasing scientific diversity in our membership we felt that the title of this committee should more accurately reflect the extended focus of our committee. So, in 2002, the NCR-173 committee agreed to change their name to Biochemistry and Genetics of Plant-Fungal Interactions to reflect the shift from an exclusive focus on Colletotrichum to include a number of other pathogenic fungal genera such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Sclerotinia, Cochliobolus, Pyrenophera, Monolinia, Ustilago, Magnaporthe, Aspergillus, and Curvularia and their hosts. Studies of these fungi were chosen because they represent diverse genera in which major areas of research from labs worldwide are focused. Collectively, these fungi express several different pathogenic lifestyles (biotrophy, hemibiotrophy, and necrotrophy), may show tissue specificity or microhabitat preferences, and produce toxins and/or extracellular enzymes involved in pathogenicity. In addition, classical genetic analysis, biochemical, molecular, and applied field studies addressing plant-fungal interactions are presently being addressed in these systems. By widening our scope from a single model system to encompass several model systems, the information shared has allowed us to compile and analyze a great deal of information regarding the universal similarities and unique differences involved in pathogenesis. In so doing, NCCC-173 has broadened its scope and has generated new synergisms from what was once an individualistic approach. Discussions at this meeting have taken on a synergetic momentum and concepts concerning fundamental and universal processes in fungal-plant interactions are vigorously debated. <br /> Short-Term Outcomes: During the 2004-2007 time period, we have continually stressed interdisciplinary activities, that are clearly reflected in the makeup of our participants. Membership in NCR-173, now re-named NCCC-173, includes classical geneticists, population biologists, evolutionary biologists, molecular biologists, physiologists, mycotoxicologists, plant molecular biologists, field epidemiologists, and pest management scientists. Thus, meeting together provides for an exceptionally multidisciplinary event that fosters collaborative interaction between a blend of basic and applied scientists representing land grant universities, private industry and government.<br /> Over the five-year period of 2004-2008, this group has registered significant accomplishments pertinent to the goals of the committee. The accomplishments resulting from these meetings include research progress from individual labs, establishment of numerous collaborations, coordination of research efforts to better define the disease process, unification of strain designations, use and expansion of the Colletotrichum repository, and training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians. During the annual workshops, researchers present preliminary and current data in an environment of open discussion and constructive yet critical critique. This helps the entire group focus research efforts on more fundamental areas and to unite our efforts in understanding plant-fungal interactions. <br /> Outputs, Activities and Milestones: One of the major benefits of NCCC-173 is establishing and maintaining a culture repository so everyone can work with the same isolates and use standard isolates for comparative purposes. This standardization has allowed many of us to avoid generating strain specific data that could not be compared to other laboratories. (http://www.uark.edu:80/depts/plant/). <br /> Individual PI projects continued in all laboratories during 2004-2007 and several collaborative efforts were established as a result of these "workshops" where individual labs are dissecting different aspects of the disease process. Collaborations initiated at the NCCC-173 meetings including the work on CThTV and other mycoviruses in fungi that express different symbiotic lifestyles continues. New collaborations have been initiated involving the potential role of siRNAs in virus transmission through conidia and ascospores; development of expression vector tools for control of Aspergillis fumungatus using mycoviruses. In addition, collaboration on the 3-D structure of fungal toxins and host genetics involved in toxin sensitivity has begun. A gfp construct (including red, blue, and yellow variants) driven by the ToxA promoter from the Ciuffetti lab has been shared with members of NCCC-173 to be used in direct research with their favorite fungus these include (M. Dickman, J. Rollins, R. Redman, R. Rodriguez, L. Vaillancourt, M. Roosinck, H. Stoltz, J. Lorang, and T. Wolpert). There has also been significant progress in collaborative efforts focused on understanding the signals responsible for apoptotic responses by plants to fungal pathogens. Results of these collaborative efforts are documented in the 1999-Present Collaborative Manuscripts Published section below. These meetings have served to coordinate efforts in the study of penetration, early signal transduction, colonization, and the communication that results in the expression of different fungal symbiotic lifestyles (parasitic, mutualistic, and commensalistic). This has culminated in defining future directions for the working group with the goal of integrating research findings concerning the biology of plant-fungal interactions with new information about the basic resistance mechanisms in host plants. Members of this group have been extremely successful both individually and jointly in securing funding for fundamental research concerning fungal-plant interactions (see List of participant grants below). We hope, through continued meetings, to organize results of all these efforts and those of the community at large in a manner that can be communicated to program leaders and to field pathologists and agronomists with the goal of improving management strategies against plant pathogens. <br /> <br /> 1999-Present Collaborative Manuscripts Published:<br /> 1. Lorang, J.M., Tuori, R.P. , Martinez, J.P., Sawyer, T.L., Redman, R.S., Rollins, J.A., Wolpert, T.J., Johnson, K.B., Rodriguez, R.J., Dickman, M. B., and Ciuffetti, L.M. 2001. Green fluorescent protein is lighting up fungal biology. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994.<br /> <br /> 2. Redman, R.S., Litvintseva, A., Sheehan, K.B., Henson, J.H., and Rodriguez, R.J. 1999. Fungi from geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park . Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65:5193-5197.<br /> <br /> 3. Rodriguez, R.J. and Redman, R.S. 2000. Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the genetic basis of fungal symbiotic lifestyles. In _Host specificity, pathology and host pathogen interactions of Colletotrichum_. D. Prusky, S. Freeman, and M. Dickman, eds. APS press pg.114-130.<br /> <br /> 4. Redman, R.S., Dunigan, D.D., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2001. Fungal symbiosis: from mutualist to parasitism, who controls the outcome, host or invader? New Phytologist 151,705-716.<br /> <br /> 5. Redman, R.S., Rossinck, M.R., Maher, S., Andrews, Q.C., Schneider, W.L. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2002. Field performance of cucurbit and tomato plants infected with a nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph: Glomerella magna; Jenkins and Winstead). Symbiosis 32:55-70.<br /> <br /> 6. Redman, R.S., Sheehan, K.B., Stout, R.G., Rodriguez, R.J., and Henson, J.H. 2002. Plant thermotolerance conferred by fungal endophyte. Science 298: 1581.<br /> <br /> 7. Hou, Z., Xue, C., Peng,Y., Katan, T., Kistler, H.C., and Xu, J.R. 2002. A MAP kinase gene (MGV1) from Fusarium graminearum involved in mycotoxin production, female fertility, heterokaryon formation, and plant infection. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions 15:1119 1127.<br /> <br /> 8. Redman, R.S. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Characterization and Isolation of an Extracellular Serine Protease from the Tomato Pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.), and it_sRole inn Pathogenicity. Mycological Research 106:1427-1434.<br /> <br /> 9. Yarden, O., Ebbole, D. J., Freeman, S., Rodriguez, R. J. and Dickman, M.B. 2003. Fungal Biology and Agriculture: Revisiting the Field. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 16:859-866.<br /> <br /> 10. Redberg, G.L., Hibbett, D.S., Ammirati, J.F., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Bridgeoporus nobilissimus: Phylogeny and genetic diversity through PCR amplification of mitochondrial and nuclear rDNA. Mycologia, 95:836-845.<br /> <br /> 11.Trail, F., Xu, J.-R., San Miguel, P., Halgren ,R.G. and Kistler, H.C. 2003. Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Fungal Genetics and Biology 38:187-197.<br /> <br /> 12. Chen, C., Harel, A., Gorovits, R., Yarden, O., and Dickman, M.B. 2004. Regulation of sclerotial development in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is linked with pH and cAMP sensing. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 17: 404-413.<br /> <br /> 13. Jurick, W., Dickman, M.B., and Rollins , J.A. 2004. Characterization and functional analysis of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A catalytic subunit gene (pka1) in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Physiol. Mol. Plant Pathol. 64: 155-163.<br /> <br /> 14. Rodriguez, R.J., Cullen, D., Kurtzman, C., Khachatourians G. and Hegedus D. 2004. Molecular methods for discriminating taxa, monitoring species, and assessing fungal diversity. In _Biodiversity of Fungi: Inventory and Monitoring Methods._ Mueller, G. M., G. F. Bills, and M.. Foster, eds. Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, U.K. pp77-102.<br /> <br /> 15. Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., Henson, J.M. 2004. The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 9:261-272.<br /> <br /> 16. Seong, K., Hou, Z., Tracy, M., Kistler, H.C. and Xu, J.-R. 2005. Random insertional mutagenesis identifies genes associated with virulence in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Phytopathology 95: 744-750.<br /> <br /> 17. Seong, K., Zhao, X., Xu, J.-R., Güldener, U., and Kistler, H.C. 2007. Conidial germination in the filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum. Fungal Genetics and Biology, doi:10.1016/j.fgb.2007.09.002.<br /> <br /> 18. Güldener, U., Seong, K.-Y., Boddu, J., Cho, S., Trail, F., Xu, J.-R., Adam, G., Mewes, H.-W., Muehlbauer, G.J., and Kistler, H.C. 2006. Development of a Fusarium graminearum Affymetrix GeneChip for profiling fungal gene expression in vitro and in planta. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 316-325.<br /> <br /> 19. Goswami, R.S., Xu, J.R., Trail, F., Hilburn, K.S., and Kistler, H.C. 2006. Genomic analysis of host-pathogen interaction between Fusarium graminearum and wheat during early stages of disease development. Microbiology 152: 1877-1890.<br /> <br /> 20. Seong, K., Li, L., Tracy, M., Kistler, H.C. and Xu, J.-R. 2006. Cryptic promoter activity of the HMR1 coding region in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 34-41.<br /> <br /> 21. Xu. J.R. Dickman, M. B. and Sharon, A. 2006. The dawn of fungal pathogen genomics. Annual Review of Phytopathology 44: 337-366.<br /> <br /> 22. Cuomo, C.A., Güldener, U., Xu, J.-R., Trail, F., Turgeon, B.G., Di Pietro, A., Walton, J.D., Ma, L.-J., Baker, S.E., Rep, M., Adam, G., Antoniw, J., Baldwin, T., Calvo, S., Chang, Y.-L., DeCaprio, D., Gale, L.R., Gnerre, S., Goswami, R.S., Hammond-Kosack, K., Harris, L.J., Hilburn, K., Kennell, J.C., Kroken, S., Magnuson, J.K., Mannhaupt, G., Mauceli, E., Mewes, H.-W., Mitterbauer, R., Muehlbauer, G., Münsterkötter, M., Nelson, D., ODonnell, K., Ouellet, T., Qi, W., Quesneville, H., Roncero, M.I.G., Seong, K.-Y., Tetko, I.V., Urban, M., Waalwijk, C., Ward, T.J., Yao, J., Birren, B.W., Kistler, H.C. 2007. The Fusarium graminearum genome reveals a link between localized polymorphism and pathogen specialization. Science 317:1400-1402.<br /> <br /> 23. Kankanala, P, Czymmek, K. and Valent, B. 2007. Roles for rice membrane dynamics and plasmodesmata during biotrophic invasion by the blast fungus. The Plant Cell, 19:706-724.<br /> <br /> 24. Márquez, L.M., R. Redman, R. Rodriguez, and M.J. Roossinck. 2007. A virus<br /> in a fungus in a plant: Three-way symbiosis required for thermal tolerance.<br /> Science 315:513-515.<br /> 25. Erental, A., Dickman, M.B. and Yarden, O. 2007. Sclerotial Development in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: Awakening Molecular Analysis of a "Dormant" Structure. Fungal Biology and Genet. (In press)<br /> 26. Hammond, T.A., M.D. Andrewski, M.J. Roossinck, and N.P. Keller. 2007. Aspergillus mycoviruses are targets and suppressors of silencing. Eukaryotic Cell accepted.<br /> 27. Rodriguez R.J. and Redman R.S. 2007. More Than 400 Million Years Of Evolution<br /> And Some Plants Still Can't Make It On Their Own: Plant Stress Tolerance Via<br /> Fungal Symbiosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, In press.<br /> <br /> 28. Rodriguez R.J., Henson J., Van Volkenburgh E., Hoy M., Wright L., Beckwith F.,<br /> Kim Y., Redman R.S. 2007. Stress Tolerance in Plants via Habitat-Adapted Symbiosis. ISME-Nature, In press.<br /> <br /> List of participant grants <br /> 1. Sequencing of the Pyrenophora tritici-repentis genome has been funded by USDACSREES under the NSF/CSREES Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. (2005-2006). PIs: Lynda M. Ciuffetti and Li-Jun Ma. $577,000. <br /> 2. State of Minnesota Rapid Response Fund (2003). An integrated genetic and physical map of the Fusarium graminearum genome. PIs: Corby Kistler and Gary Muehlbauer. $49,000. <br /> 3. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (FY 2003), grants 0304-KI-080 and 0304 TR 050. Genomics, population genetics and development of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $78,000. <br /> 4. United States Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative Grant (2004 - 2006); Functional Genomics of Fusarium graminearum, the Wheat and Barley Scab Fungus; PIs: Corby Kistler, Frances Trail and Jin-Rong Xu. $971,486. <br /> 5. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (FY 2004), grants 0405-KI- 128 and 0405-TR-052. Genomics, population genetics and development of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $87,000. <br /> 6. United States Department of Agriculture, United States Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (FY 2005), grants 0506-KI-079 and 0506-TR-039. Genomics and population genetics of Gibberella zeae. PI: Corby Kistler. $107,792. <br /> 7. National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture, Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. Comparative Genomics of Plant Pathogenic Fusarium Species. PIs: Corby Kistler, Li-Jun Ma, Won-Bo Shim, Seogchan Kang and Charles Woloshuk. $910,081. <br /> 8. NSF-EPSCoR. Plant Virus Biodiversity and Ecology, (Although not explicit from the title, this grant also covers a survey of viruses of fungal endophytes) ( 2005-2008). PIs: U. Melcher and M. Roossinck. $3,900,000. <br /> 9. Biochemical Studies of a Novel Fungal Protein Toxic to Plants has been funded by the NSF (2004-2007). PIs: Lynda M. Ciuffetti and P. Andrew Karplus. $490,430<br /> 10. USDA -- Cooperative State Research Service: Integrated Analyses of Victoria Blight Disease Susceptibility in Arabidopsis. (2005-2008). PI: Tom Wolpert. $341,079. <br /> 11. USDA -- Cooperative State Research Service: Genetic dissection of victorin-induced responses in Arabidopsis. (2001-2004). PIs: Tom Wolpert and Jennifer Lorang. $299,000. 12. USDA STEEP -- Improved methods for evaluating resistance to Cephalosporium stripe of wheat. (1999-2003). PIs: T. J. Wolpert, L.M. Ciuffetti, C.C. Mundt, C.J. Peterson, O. Riera Lizarazu. $75,000. <br /> 13. USGS - Introduction, Ecological Impacts and Invasiveness of Non-Indigenous Microbial, Plant and Animal Communities in the Pacific Northwest. (2004 2009). PI; Rusty Rodriguez. $2,000,000. <br /> 14. NSF - Symbiotic modulation: A mechanism for adaptation to environmental stress and habitat expansion by plants. (2004-2007).. PIs: Regina Redman, Rusty Rodriguez, Richard Stout. $650,000. <br /> 15. US/IS BARD - Gene expression patterns in plants colonized with pathogenic and non-pathogenic gene disruption mutants of Colletotrichum. (2005-2008). PIs: Rusty Rodriguez and Stan Freeman. $287,000. <br /> 16. USDA 2001-35319- 10996. Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the Aspergillus/Seed interaction. (2001-2006). PI: Nancy Keller and Corby Kistler. $210,000. <br /> 17. USAID RD309-022/2265417. Basic and applied studies on aflatoxin and Aspergillus flavus management and interactions with peanut in the field and storage. (2000-2006). PIs: Nancy Keller,D. Wilson (University of Georgia) and 5 Botswanan scientists, 1 RSA scientist. $448,000. <br /> 18. Role of dioxygenases in Fusarium graminearum sporulation " the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. (2003-2006). PI: Nancy Keller. $170,000. <br /> 19. NSF MCB-0236393. A global regulator of secondary metabolism gene clusters. (2004-2007). PI: Nancy Keller. $410,000. <br /> 20. NIH Aspergillus fumigatus microarray grant. PI: Nancy Keller. (no money, only awarded microarrays) <br /> 21. USDA NRI (Food Safety). RNAi-Mediated Control of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Crops. (2005-2007). PIs: Nancy Keller and Heidi Kaeppler. $475,378. <br /> 22. ICRISAT. Elucidation of the peanut/Aspergillus interaction. (2005-2006). PIs: Nancy Keller and K. Sharma. $60,000. <br /> 23. Hatch funds Regulation of mycotoxin Biosynthesis. PI: Nancy Keller. ca $25,000 /year. 24. NSF MCB-0196233. Genetics of fungal secondary metabolism. (2001-2004). PI: Nancy Keller. $235,869. <br /> 25. Noble Foundation The movement and biological role of dsRNA viruses of fungal endophytes on plant hosts, PI: Regina Redman. (2003-2006). $61,500. <br /> 27. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2002. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman. <br /> 28. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2003. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman. <br /> 29. US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Genes regulated by the Gpmk1 pathway and pathogenesis in Fusarium graminearum. (2006-2007). PI: Jin- Rong Xu. $62,387. <br /> 30. USDA-NRI. Signal pathway activation of transcription factors and downstream targets regulating pathogenicity in Magnaporthe grisea. (2006-2009). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $650,000. 31. US NRICGP. Molecular mechanisms regulating the activation of the PMK1 MAP kinase pathway in Magnaporthe grisea. (2005- 2008). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $385,000. <br /> 32. USDA-NRI Integrative Program. Functional genomics of Fusarium graminearum. (2004-2006). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $980,000. <br /> 33. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Effect of host resistance, fungicide, and weather on FHB of wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $26,550. <br /> 34. NDSBARE Wheat Committee. Continuation of a regional disease forecasting system. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $9,100. <br /> 35. NSF. Acquisition of high throughput genetic analysis instrument. (2005-2007). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Kianian. $459,832. <br /> 36. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Development of markers linked to FHB resistance in durum and hexaploid wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Kianian. $121,122. <br /> 37. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Fine mapping of oshs.ndsu-3AS in durum wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and X.E. Cai. $37,995. <br /> 38. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Hastening the development of specialty spring wheat with resistance to Fusarium head blight. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Berzonsky. $49,029. <br /> 39. USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants, Program- Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions. Function, ecological roles, and evolutionary history of LOL: the loline alkaloid gene cluster in mutualistic grass endophytes. (2003-2006). PI: Heather Wilkinson. $200,000. <br /> 40. USDA Food and Agriculture Science National Needs Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants Program. Fungal Biology Emerging Issues in Agriculture. (2005-2008). PIs: Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson, T. Isakeit, C.M. Kenerley, M.V. Kolomiets, W.B. Shim, B.D. Shaw, M.R. Thon, and S.A. Sukno. (2005-2008). $139,00. <br /> 41. NSF. Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in filamentous Fungi. (2006-2009). PIs: Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson, and B.D. Shaw. $998,319. <br /> 42. NSF. Plant Genome project #0115642. Whole Genome Analysis of Pathogen-Host Recognition and Subsequent Responses in the Rice Blast Patho-System. PIs: Dan Ebbole and Departmental Dean (Texas A&M). $6,200,000. <br /> 43. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $4,000. <br /> 44. USDA-NRICGP. Basidiomycete Specific Virulence Factor Analysis, Sporulation and Host Response in the Maize-Corn Smut Pathosystem. (2005-2008). PI: Scott Gold. $399,000. <br /> 45. Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Board. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in Sclerotium rolfsii. (2005-2006). PI: Scott Gold. $3,000. <br /> 46. NSF PRISM. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in the White Mold Fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $7,000. <br /> 47. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $6,000. <br /> 48. Georgia Peanut Commission. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in Sclerotium rolfsii. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $3,000. <br /> 49. USDA-NRICGP. Genetic analysis of fungal morphogenesis and host response in the Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem. (2003-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $200,000. <br /> 50. USDA-NRICGP. Identification of proteins signaling morphogenesis and pathogenicity in Ustilago maydis (postdoctoral fellowship for Steven Klosterman). (2003-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $90,000. <br /> 51. NSF International. U.S.-Mexico collaborative analysis of the pathways of control of dimorphism in Ustilago maydis. (2002-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $69,491.<br /> 52. USDA Microbial Genome Sequencing Program. 2006-2008. P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Co-PIs Martin Dickman, Mike Thon, Lijun Ma, Jeffrey Osborn. A Genome Sequence for the Model Hemibiotroph Colletotrichum graminicola. $951,260. <br /> 53. USDA/ Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD): 2006-2009. P.I. D. Prusky, Co-PI L. Vaillancourt. Mechanism of suppression of resistance of fruits to postharvest pathogens following environmental pH changes. $385,000.<br /> 54. U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI). 2006. P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Co-PIs David Van Sanford, Don Hershman. The Relationship between Fungal Biomass and DON Contamination in Wheat Seeds. $9,801. <br /> 55. Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF): 2005-2007: P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Co-PI Pradeep Kachroo. Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Interactions of Plants with Hemibiotrophic Pathogens. $101,634.<br /> 56. USDA National Research Initiative (NRI): 2002-2006. P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Mechanisms of the Transition Between Biotrophy and Necrotrophy in a Hemibiotroph. $195,000.<br /> 57. DuPont Nemours Company Grant: 2002-2006. P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Development of Bioassays for Vascular Infection of Maize by Colletotrichum graminicola. $90,000.<br /> 58. USDA Special Grant 2002-2004. Advanced Genetics Technologies. P.I. C. Schardl, Co P.I.s Lisa Vaillancourt, David Hildebrand, Peter Nagy, Sharyn Perry. $561,217.<br /> 59. NSF EPSCoR for Oklahoma. Plant Virus Biodiversity and Ecology--Ulrich Melcher and Marilyn Roossinck, coPIs Total $3.1 million, 5/05-8/08<br /> 60. USDA Award # OKLR-2007-01012. 5,000 Virus GenomesMarilyn Roossinck, PI Total $ 408,873 01/07 - 12/10<br /> 61. NSF Award # EF-0627108. Pi roossinck Total $717,718 10/06 - 9/09.<br /> 62. National Science Foundation, Environmental Genomics. (2007- 2010). En-Gen: Pathogen evolution in complex microbial communities. H. C. Kistler, Co-Principal investigator with Georgiana May. $900,000.<br /> 63. United States Department of Agriculture, National Research Initiative Grant (2008 - 2010). Award number 2007-04703. Comparative functional genomics of plant pathogenic Fusarium species; H. C. Kistler, Principal Investigator with Li-Jun Ma and Jin-Rong Xu, co-PIs. $771,000.<br /> 64. NIH. Mechanisms of an Aspergillus fumigatus virulence mutant (2008-2011). PI: Nancy Keller. $1,795,376.<br /> 65. USDA-NRI. Gene networks controlling development, pathogenicity and secondary metabolism in Aspergillus. (2007-2008) CoPI: G. Payne, J. Yu, C. Woloshuk, $700,000 (Keller = $51,701). <br /> 66. NSF. Oxylipin mediated crosstalk governs the maize-fungal interactions and mycotoxin biosynthesis. (2007-2008). CoPI: M. Kolomeits, $521,098 (Keller = $184,763).<br /> 67. USDA-NRI-Cooperative State Research Service National Research Initiative:<br /> Molecular characterization of genes regulating Victoria Blight in oats. PI: Tom Wolpert,<br /> $399,500, 2007-2010.<br /> 68. NSF -- A Downside to Disease Resistance in Arabidopsis: The Trouble with<br /> LOV. PI: Tom Wolpert, $535,758, 2007-2010.<br /> 69. USDA-NRI. Functional analysis of the AVR-Pita rice blast avirulence protein in pathogenicity and host specificity (2002-2005) PI. Barbara Valent. $289,000.<br /> 70. NSF-EPSCoR First Award, Investigations of the mechanisms by which the hemibiotrophic rice blast fungus delivers effector proteins into plant cells (2002-2003) PI. Barbara Valent, $100,000.<br /> 71. NSF (#IOB-0446315). Molecular and cellular biology of biotrophic interactions in rice blast disease (2005-2008) PI. Barbara Valent. $485,932.<br /> 72. Kansas NSF EPSCoR. Acquisition of a mass spectrometer for lipidomics. (2005-2006) PIs. R. Welti (PI), T Schermerhorn, J. Shah, Barbara Valent and W Wang. $400,000.<br /> 73. USDA-NRI. On the secretion of rice blast effector molecules into living rice cells (2006-2009) PI. Barbara Valent, $399,940.<br /> 74. NSF Microbial Genome Sequencing (#0627159). Community annotation database for Magnaporthe grisea and its interactions with rice. (2006-2008) PIs. C. Soderlund, M.J. Orbach and Barbara Valent. $522,458.00.<br /> 75. USDA-NRI Microbial Genomics: Functional Genomics of Microorganisms. Localization of secreted proteins during penetration and invasive growth of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae (2008-2011) PIs. Mark Farman, Barbara Valent and M. Goodin. $990.000.<br /> 76. National Science Foundation Isolation and Characterization of Cell Survivial Genes from Plants Martin Dickman, PI. $220,000. 09/02-06/05.<br /> 77. USDA  Enhanced Scab Resistance in Wheat by Plant Transformation and Breeding Martin Dickman, Co-PI . $200,000 (My share). 05/02-04/06.<br /> 78. National Science Foundation Isolation and Characterization of Pseudomonas type III Effectors that Suppress Programmed Cell Death in Eukaryotes Martin Dickman, Co-PI $375,000. 09/03-08/06.<br /> 79. BARD. Involvement of the PKA and MAPK Signal Transduction Pathways in Sclerotial Morphogenesis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum PI, O. Yarden Co-PI. $290,000. 08/04-07/07.<br /> 80. BARD Involvement of the PKA and MAPK Signal Transduction Pathways in Sclerotial Morphogenesis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum PI, O. Yarden Co-PI. $290,000. 08/04-07/07.<br /> 81. NSF/USDA.  Genomics of the Necrotrophic Fungal Pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Martin Dickman, PI, Jeffrey Rollins, Linda Kohn, and Christina Cuomo, Co-PIs. $856,000. 09/04-08/07.<br /> 82. NSF/USDA. Colletotrichum: A model for Intracellular itemibiotrophic Plant Pathogenis Martin Dickman, Co-PI. $900,000. 1/2007-12/2008. <br /> 83. Australian Research Council. Manipulation of apoptosis-related genes to generate novel disease resistances in banana Martin Dickman, Co-PI. $400, 000. 01/05-12/09.<br /> 84. USDA. Application of Genome Technology to the Analysis of Gene Expression in Sclerotinia Jeffrey Rollins, PI, Martin Dickman, Co-PI $70,800 06/04-05/05.<br /> 85. US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund. (2002-2005). Modulation of pathogenicity of postharvest pathogens by environmental pH. D. Prusky, PI, J.A. Rollins, Co-PI. $359,000.<br /> 86. USDA-NRI CSREES Biology of Plant Microbe Associations Panel. (2004-2007). Regulation of Apothecial Morphogenesis in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; J. A. Rollins, PI. $200,000. <br /> 87. USDA Sclerotinia Initiative Special Grants Program. (2005-2006). Microarray Development: Application of Genomic Technology to the Analysis of Gene Expression in S. sclerotiorum. J. A. Rollins, PI. $32,265.<br /> 88. Wilkinson, J.R. and Brooks, T.D. Aflatoxin Collaborative Research Support Program (AFCRSP) Aflatoxin Pre-harvest Proposal: Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection for Resistance to Aflatoxin in Maize. $32,000 May 2007 - April 2008. <br /> 89. Wilkinson, J.R., Kelley, R.Y., and Peterson, D.G. Mississippi Corn Promotion Board Proposal 2007. Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection for Resistance to Insects and Aflatoxin, $60,000 yr, April 2007- March 2008.<br /> 90. Wilkinson, J.R. Special Research Initiative FY 2007, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Development of Gene Specific Markers in Maize to Increase Resistance to Aflatoxin, $43,100.00 yr, Jan. 2007  Dec. 2008. <br /> 91. Wilkinson, J.R. and Williams, W.P. Specific Cooperative Agreement: Identification of Proteins and Genes Associated with resistance to Aflatoxin in Maize. SCA 58-6406-6-039. USDA-ARS Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit. FY 2007 $183,000.<br /> FY 2007  2011.<br /> 92. Redman, R.S., Davis, R.M., and Greer, C. April 2007-April 2008. Salt tolerance growth and yield enhancement through plant-fungal symbiosis. California Rice Research Board. $27,000.<br /> 93. Evaluation of Cause and Acquisition of Virulence in Pyrenophora tritici-repentis has been funded by USDA/CSREES/NRI (2000-2003). PI: Lynda M. Ciuffetti $190,000<br /> 94. Complex Race Structure and Gene-for-Gene Specificity Determined by Host-Selective Toxins has been funded by USDA/CSREES/NRI (2003-2006). PI: Lynda M. Ciuffetti. $300,000<br /> <br />

Publications

1999-Present Collaborative Manuscripts Published:<br /> 1. Lorang, J.M., Tuori, R.P. , Martinez, J.P., Sawyer, T.L., Redman, R.S., Rollins, J.A., Wolpert, T.J., Johnson, K.B., Rodriguez, R.J., Dickman, M. B., and Ciuffetti, L.M. 2001. Green fluorescent protein is lighting up fungal biology. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 67: 1987-1994.<br /> <br /> 2. Redman, R.S., Litvintseva, A., Sheehan, K.B., Henson, J.H., and Rodriguez, R.J. 1999. Fungi from geothermal soils of Yellowstone National Park . Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65:5193-5197.<br /> <br /> 3. Rodriguez, R.J. and Redman, R.S. 2000. Colletotrichum as a model system for defining the genetic basis of fungal symbiotic lifestyles. In _Host specificity, pathology and host pathogen interactions of Colletotrichum_. D. Prusky, S. Freeman, and M. Dickman, eds. APS press pg.114-130.<br /> <br /> 4. Redman, R.S., Dunigan, D.D., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2001. Fungal symbiosis: from mutualist to parasitism, who controls the outcome, host or invader? New Phytologist 151,705-716.<br /> <br /> 5. Redman, R.S., Rossinck, M.R., Maher, S., Andrews, Q.C., Schneider, W.L. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2002. Field performance of cucurbit and tomato plants infected with a nonpathogenic mutant of Colletotrichum magna (teleomorph: Glomerella magna; Jenkins and Winstead). Symbiosis 32:55-70.<br /> <br /> 6. Redman, R.S., Sheehan, K.B., Stout, R.G., Rodriguez, R.J., and Henson, J.H. 2002. Plant thermotolerance conferred by fungal endophyte. Science 298: 1581.<br /> <br /> 7. Hou, Z., Xue, C., Peng,Y., Katan, T., Kistler, H.C., and Xu, J.R. 2002. A MAP kinase gene (MGV1) from Fusarium graminearum involved in mycotoxin production, female fertility, heterokaryon formation, and plant infection. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions 15:1119 1127.<br /> <br /> 8. Redman, R.S. and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Characterization and Isolation of an Extracellular Serine Protease from the Tomato Pathogen Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr.), and it_sRole inn Pathogenicity. Mycological Research 106:1427-1434.<br /> <br /> 9. Yarden, O., Ebbole, D. J., Freeman, S., Rodriguez, R. J. and Dickman, M.B. 2003. Fungal Biology and Agriculture: Revisiting the Field. Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, 16:859-866.<br /> <br /> 10. Redberg, G.L., Hibbett, D.S., Ammirati, J.F., and Rodriguez, R.J. 2003. Bridgeoporus nobilissimus: Phylogeny and genetic diversity through PCR amplification of mitochondrial and nuclear rDNA. Mycologia, 95:836-845.<br /> <br /> 11.Trail, F., Xu, J.-R., San Miguel, P., Halgren ,R.G. and Kistler, H.C. 2003. Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Gibberella zeae (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Fungal Genetics and Biology 38:187-197.<br /> <br /> 12. Chen, C., Harel, A., Gorovits, R., Yarden, O., and Dickman, M.B. 2004. Regulation of sclerotial development in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is linked with pH and cAMP sensing. Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 17: 404-413.<br /> <br /> 13. Jurick, W., Dickman, M.B., and Rollins , J.A. 2004. Characterization and functional analysis of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A catalytic subunit gene (pka1) in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Physiol. Mol. Plant Pathol. 64: 155-163.<br /> <br /> 14. Rodriguez, R.J., Cullen, D., Kurtzman, C., Khachatourians G. and Hegedus D. 2004. Molecular methods for discriminating taxa, monitoring species, and assessing fungal diversity. In _Biodiversity of Fungi: Inventory and Monitoring Methods._ Mueller, G. M., G. F. Bills, and M.. Foster, eds. Elsevier Academic Press, Oxford, U.K. pp77-102.<br /> <br /> 15. Rodriguez, R.J., Redman R.S., Henson, J.M. 2004. The Role of Fungal Symbioses in the Adaptation of Plants to High Stress Environments. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 9:261-272.<br /> <br /> 16. Seong, K., Hou, Z., Tracy, M., Kistler, H.C. and Xu, J.-R. 2005. Random insertional mutagenesis identifies genes associated with virulence in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Phytopathology 95: 744-750.<br /> <br /> 17. Seong, K., Zhao, X., Xu, J.-R., Güldener, U., and Kistler, H.C. 2007. Conidial germination in the filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum. Fungal Genetics and Biology, doi:10.1016/j.fgb.2007.09.002.<br /> <br /> 18. Güldener, U., Seong, K.-Y., Boddu, J., Cho, S., Trail, F., Xu, J.-R., Adam, G., Mewes, H.-W., Muehlbauer, G.J., and Kistler, H.C. 2006. Development of a Fusarium graminearum Affymetrix GeneChip for profiling fungal gene expression in vitro and in planta. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 316-325.<br /> <br /> 19. Goswami, R.S., Xu, J.R., Trail, F., Hilburn, K.S., and Kistler, H.C. 2006. Genomic analysis of host-pathogen interaction between Fusarium graminearum and wheat during early stages of disease development. Microbiology 152: 1877-1890.<br /> <br /> 20. Seong, K., Li, L., Tracy, M., Kistler, H.C. and Xu, J.-R. 2006. Cryptic promoter activity of the HMR1 coding region in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 43: 34-41.<br /> <br /> 21. Xu. J.R. Dickman, M. B. and Sharon, A. 2006. The dawn of fungal pathogen genomics. Annual Review of Phytopathology 44: 337-366.<br /> <br /> 22. Cuomo, C.A., Güldener, U., Xu, J.-R., Trail, F., Turgeon, B.G., Di Pietro, A., Walton, J.D., Ma, L.-J., Baker, S.E., Rep, M., Adam, G., Antoniw, J., Baldwin, T., Calvo, S., Chang, Y.-L., DeCaprio, D., Gale, L.R., Gnerre, S., Goswami, R.S., Hammond-Kosack, K., Harris, L.J., Hilburn, K., Kennell, J.C., Kroken, S., Magnuson, J.K., Mannhaupt, G., Mauceli, E., Mewes, H.-W., Mitterbauer, R., Muehlbauer, G., Münsterkötter, M., Nelson, D., ODonnell, K., Ouellet, T., Qi, W., Quesneville, H., Roncero, M.I.G., Seong, K.-Y., Tetko, I.V., Urban, M., Waalwijk, C., Ward, T.J., Yao, J., Birren, B.W., Kistler, H.C. 2007. The Fusarium graminearum genome reveals a link between localized polymorphism and pathogen specialization. Science 317:1400-1402.<br /> <br /> 23. Kankanala, P, Czymmek, K. and Valent, B. 2007. Roles for rice membrane dynamics and plasmodesmata during biotrophic invasion by the blast fungus. The Plant Cell, 19:706-724.<br /> <br /> 24. Márquez, L.M., R. Redman, R. Rodriguez, and M.J. Roossinck. 2007. A virus<br /> in a fungus in a plant: Three-way symbiosis required for thermal tolerance.<br /> Science 315:513-515.<br /> 25. Erental, A., Dickman, M.B. and Yarden, O. 2007. Sclerotial Development in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: Awakening Molecular Analysis of a "Dormant" Structure. Fungal Biology and Genet. (In press)<br /> 26. Hammond, T.A., M.D. Andrewski, M.J. Roossinck, and N.P. Keller. 2007. Aspergillus mycoviruses are targets and suppressors of silencing. Eukaryotic Cell accepted.<br /> 27. Rodriguez R.J. and Redman R.S. 2007. More Than 400 Million Years Of Evolution<br /> And Some Plants Still Can't Make It On Their Own: Plant Stress Tolerance Via<br /> Fungal Symbiosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, In press.<br /> <br /> 28. Rodriguez R.J., Henson J., Van Volkenburgh E., Hoy M., Wright L., Beckwith F.,<br /> Kim Y., Redman R.S. 2007. Stress Tolerance in Plants via Habitat-Adapted Symbiosis. ISME-Nature, In press.<br />

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