A group of plant pathologists within Texas A&M AgriLife Research have created a new, surprisingly simple approach to studying the complex interactions between plants and viruses. They hope the breakthrough will make improving plant resilience quicker and easier, as well as shed light on the evolutionary arms race between plants and their viruses.
Viral infections make up almost half of the known plant pathogens and cost producers about $30 billion globally each year. For decades, scientists have explored the ways plants defend themselves against viruses and how to enhance the plant's defense system.
To clarify key components in this system, Texas A&M AgriLife researchers developed an innovative approach that uses a modified plant virus to simulate an infection and simultaneously act as a sensor for the plant's resistance response.
Herman Scholthof, Ph.D., professor emeritus of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, led the study published in PNAS Nexus showcasing their novel approach — the final study in his career as a plant virology researcher.
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