Publications
2023
The nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) class of immune receptor, Sw-5b confers resistance to Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV). Although Sw-5b is known to activate immunity upon recognition of the TSWV movement protein NSm, we know very little about the downstream events that lead to resistance. Here, we investigated the Sw-5b-mediated early transcriptomic changes that occur in response to mechanical and thrips-mediated inoculation of TSWV using near-isogenic tomato lines, CNPH-LAM 147 (Sw5b+/+) and Santa Clara (Sw-5b-/-). Read more…
As climate change brings drier and more variable rainfall patterns to many arid and semi-arid regions, land managers must re-assemble appropriate plant communities for these conditions. Transcriptome sequencing can elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to changing environmental conditions, potentially enhancing our ability to screen suitable genotypes and species for restoration. Read more…
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused more than 6.7 million deaths worldwide. Certain groups of individuals are still at a high risk of severe illness. The availability of drugs to treat COVID-19 symptoms will save many lives. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV2, the causal agent of COVID-19, is a promising target for drug discovery. Natural products have been used for thousands of years to treat diseases and represent valuable resources for drug discovery. Read more…
Apple (Malus domestica) is a highly valuable fruit that is produced in significant amounts by ten countries and is exported worldwide. Phytosanitary treatment of apples is necessary to limit the spread of destructive pests. Ionizing irradiation is a highly effective non-thermal phytosanitary treatment that is gaining popularity worldwide, as it is an environmentally friendly and chemical-free technique of pest and pathogen control. Read more…
Rhizobia species that fix atmospheric nitrogen in nodules that form on the root are very beneficial to plant growth and productivity. Highly efficient nitrogen-fixing rhizobia developed under laboratory conditions often do not function at the same level in natural soils with native microbial communities. The aim of this research is to study how the plant (Lotus japonicus) associates with three rhizobia from the same species (Mesorhizobium japonicum) when they are present together at the same time. Read more…
2022
Salvia hispanica L., commonly known as chia, is a plant-based alternative to seafood and is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. In the Northern Hemisphere, chia flowering is triggered by the fall equinox (12-h light and dark, early October) and the seeds mature after approximately three months. Chia is sensitive to frost and end of season moisture which limits its cultivation to small areas in regions with temperate climate. The U.S. chia import has increased considerably over the years; however, chia is not widely cultivated in the United States. Read more…
2021
Superficial scald is a postharvest disorder of apples related to increased ethylene production in stored fruit which leads to α-farnesene accumulation and oxidation. Ionizing irradiation inhibits ethylene production and has been shown to reduce superficial scald, but this phenomenon has not been explored at the molecular level. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of irradiation on gene expression of enzymes related to ethylene and α-farnesene in ‘Granny Smith’ apples. Read more…
For well over a century, rhizobia have been recognized as effective biofertilizer options for legume crops. This has led to the widespread use of rhizobial inoculants in agricultural systems, but a recurring issue has emerged: applied rhizobia struggle to provide growth benefits to legume crops. This has largely been attributed to the presence of soil rhizobia and has been termed the ‘rhizobial competition problem.’ Read more…
2020
Salvia hispanica (commonly known as chia) is gaining popularity worldwide as a healthy food supplement due to its low saturated fatty acid and high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, in addition to being rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Chia leaves contain plethora of secondary metabolites with medicinal properties. In this study, we sequenced chia leaf and root transcriptomes using the Illumina platform. The short reads were assembled into contigs using the Trinity software and annotated against the Uniprot database. Read more…