General Goals
The main objective of this platform is to develop knowledge about the main citrus pathosystems by evaluating the responses of both the host and the pathogen in their interactions and in the development of the disease.
The search for functional targets that can be used in disease control is at the core of this platform. It also addresses the genetic responses of citrus when exposed to pathogens or limiting environmental conditions such as water or nutrient restrictions. The evaluation of transcriptomes of citrus pathogens is included in this platform to understand the development of limiting diseases such as variegated chlorosis, gummosis, black spot, sudden death and huanglongbing (HLB), as well as pathogen vectors. This information is largely used for the genetic transformation of citrus.
Specific objectives
- Evaluate the mechanisms of pathogenicity of the bacteria Liberibacter spp. in the HLB and develop assays to evaluate the effectors of this bacterium.
- To evaluate physiological and biochemical parameters in the HLB development process in sweet orange.
- Establish a gene silencing evaluation system in Diaphorina citri.
- Evaluate the survival mechanisms of persistent fastidiosa cells and their association with pathogenicity mechanisms.
- To evaluate the functionality of tangerine resistance genes in model plants and bacterial genes (rpfF) in increasing resistance to CVC.
- To evaluate pathogenic mechanisms of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri involved in persistent cell survival and biofilm formation.
- Identify and characterize Phyllosticta citricarpa effectors associated with pathogenicity in sweet orange.
- To evaluate the global gene expression of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to CiLV-C infection, aiming at structuring a model of the interaction of citrus with the virus.
- Establish sweet orange transformation protocols without selection marker genes and cisgenesis.
- Prospecting and selecting candidate genes associated with the water stress process in citrus rootstocks.
- Producing new citrus genetic transformation events with a focus on disease resistance.
- Development of a preliminary protocol for gene silencing in citrus for genetic transformation and functional studies.