Research in my laboratory is focused on the molecular mechanisms of plant-virus interactions. Particularly, we are interested in the mechanism of antiviral immunity in plants and the mechanisms of pathogenicity in plant viruses. We are also interested in the identification and characterization of cellular genes that condition susceptibility to viruses.
These projects combine genetic, genomic, and bioinformatic approaches to identify and characterize plant and viral genes as related to the establishment of infection and symptom development. We have identified the core genetic components of antiviral gene silencing the mechanisms that virus-encoded silencing suppressors use to overcome antiviral defense. These suppressor are genetic determinants of symptom development and of the spatial distribution of infection in plants.
