Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

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. 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. 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. 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/). 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. 1999-Present Collaborative Manuscripts Published: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 21. Xu. J.R. Dickman, M. B. and Sharon, A. 2006. The dawn of fungal pathogen genomics. Annual Review of Phytopathology 44: 337-366. 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. 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. 24. Márquez, L.M., R. Redman, R. Rodriguez, and M.J. Roossinck. 2007. A virus in a fungus in a plant: Three-way symbiosis required for thermal tolerance. Science 315:513-515. 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) 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. 27. Rodriguez R.J. and Redman R.S. 2007. More Than 400 Million Years Of Evolution And Some Plants Still Can't Make It On Their Own: Plant Stress Tolerance Via Fungal Symbiosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, In press. 28. Rodriguez R.J., Henson J., Van Volkenburgh E., Hoy M., Wright L., Beckwith F., Kim Y., Redman R.S. 2007. Stress Tolerance in Plants via Habitat-Adapted Symbiosis. ISME-Nature, In press. List of participant grants 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 10. USDA -- Cooperative State Research Service: Integrated Analyses of Victoria Blight Disease Susceptibility in Arabidopsis. (2005-2008). PI: Tom Wolpert. $341,079. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 18. Role of dioxygenases in Fusarium graminearum sporulation " the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. (2003-2006). PI: Nancy Keller. $170,000. 19. NSF MCB-0236393. A global regulator of secondary metabolism gene clusters. (2004-2007). PI: Nancy Keller. $410,000. 20. NIH Aspergillus fumigatus microarray grant. PI: Nancy Keller. (no money, only awarded microarrays) 21. USDA NRI (Food Safety). RNAi-Mediated Control of Mycotoxin Contamination of Food Crops. (2005-2007). PIs: Nancy Keller and Heidi Kaeppler. $475,378. 22. ICRISAT. Elucidation of the peanut/Aspergillus interaction. (2005-2006). PIs: Nancy Keller and K. Sharma. $60,000. 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. 25. Noble Foundation The movement and biological role of dsRNA viruses of fungal endophytes on plant hosts, PI: Regina Redman. (2003-2006). $61,500. 27. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2002. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman. 28. Antarctic service award. McMurdo society of old Antarctic explorers. 2003. Rusty Rodriguez and Regina Redman. 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. 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. 32. USDA-NRI Integrative Program. Functional genomics of Fusarium graminearum. (2004-2006). PI: Jin-Rong Xu. $980,000. 33. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Effect of host resistance, fungicide, and weather on FHB of wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $26,550. 34. NDSBARE Wheat Committee. Continuation of a regional disease forecasting system. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Ali. $9,100. 35. NSF. Acquisition of high throughput genetic analysis instrument. (2005-2007). PIs: Tika Adhikari and Kianian. $459,832. 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. 37. USDA-ARS-USWBSI. Fine mapping of oshs.ndsu-3AS in durum wheat. (2005-2006). PIs: Tika Adhikari and X.E. Cai. $37,995. 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. 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. 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. 41. NSF. Evolution of Asexual Sporulation in filamentous Fungi. (2006-2009). PIs: Dan Ebbole, Heather Wilkinson, and B.D. Shaw. $998,319. 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. 43. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $4,000. 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. 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. 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. 47. NSF PRISM. Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics in the Undergraduate Classroom: BTEC4000L. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $6,000. 48. Georgia Peanut Commission. Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed During Sclerotium Formation in Sclerotium rolfsii. (2004-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $3,000. 49. USDA-NRICGP. Genetic analysis of fungal morphogenesis and host response in the Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem. (2003-2005). PI: Scott Gold. $200,000. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 57. DuPont Nemours Company Grant: 2002-2006. P.I. L. Vaillancourt. Development of Bioassays for Vascular Infection of Maize by Colletotrichum graminicola. $90,000. 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. 59. NSF EPSCoR for Oklahoma. Plant Virus Biodiversity and Ecology--Ulrich Melcher and Marilyn Roossinck, coPIs Total $3.1 million, 5/05-8/08 60. USDA Award # OKLR-2007-01012. 5,000 Virus GenomesMarilyn Roossinck, PI Total $ 408,873 01/07 - 12/10 61. NSF Award # EF-0627108. Pi roossinck Total $717,718 10/06 - 9/09. 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. 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. 64. NIH. Mechanisms of an Aspergillus fumigatus virulence mutant (2008-2011). PI: Nancy Keller. $1,795,376. 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). 66. NSF. Oxylipin mediated crosstalk governs the maize-fungal interactions and mycotoxin biosynthesis. (2007-2008). CoPI: M. Kolomeits, $521,098 (Keller = $184,763). 67. USDA-NRI-Cooperative State Research Service National Research Initiative: Molecular characterization of genes regulating Victoria Blight in oats. PI: Tom Wolpert, $399,500, 2007-2010. 68. NSF -- A Downside to Disease Resistance in Arabidopsis: The Trouble with LOV. PI: Tom Wolpert, $535,758, 2007-2010. 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. 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. 71. NSF (#IOB-0446315). Molecular and cellular biology of biotrophic interactions in rice blast disease (2005-2008) PI. Barbara Valent. $485,932. 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. 73. USDA-NRI. On the secretion of rice blast effector molecules into living rice cells (2006-2009) PI. Barbara Valent, $399,940. 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. 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. 76. National Science Foundation Isolation and Characterization of Cell Survivial Genes from Plants Martin Dickman, PI. $220,000. 09/02-06/05. 77. USDA  Enhanced Scab Resistance in Wheat by Plant Transformation and Breeding Martin Dickman, Co-PI . $200,000 (My share). 05/02-04/06. 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. 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. 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. 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. 82. NSF/USDA. Colletotrichum: A model for Intracellular itemibiotrophic Plant Pathogenis Martin Dickman, Co-PI. $900,000. 1/2007-12/2008. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. FY 2007  2011. 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. 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 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

1999-Present Collaborative Manuscripts Published: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 21. Xu. J.R. Dickman, M. B. and Sharon, A. 2006. The dawn of fungal pathogen genomics. Annual Review of Phytopathology 44: 337-366. 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. 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. 24. Márquez, L.M., R. Redman, R. Rodriguez, and M.J. Roossinck. 2007. A virus in a fungus in a plant: Three-way symbiosis required for thermal tolerance. Science 315:513-515. 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) 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. 27. Rodriguez R.J. and Redman R.S. 2007. More Than 400 Million Years Of Evolution And Some Plants Still Can't Make It On Their Own: Plant Stress Tolerance Via Fungal Symbiosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, In press. 28. Rodriguez R.J., Henson J., Van Volkenburgh E., Hoy M., Wright L., Beckwith F., Kim Y., Redman R.S. 2007. Stress Tolerance in Plants via Habitat-Adapted Symbiosis. ISME-Nature, In press.