Investigation of global gene expression in the plant-pathogen interaction between tomato and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersicon.

Genetic resistance in plants confers immunity to a wide range of pathogens, and is mediated by different types of resistance genes (R-genes). Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp lycopersicon (Fol) race II in tomato is conferred by the 12C gene family, b ut there is no obvious defense response in the plant that can indicate by which mechanism(s) resistance is achieved. The project will focus on the identification of genes that are specifically induced by Fusarium infection in resistant tomato isolines, in order to better understand the genetic and physiological events essential for immunity. A parallel investigation of Fusarium (a)virulence traits might further the understanding of this interaction. Screening with microarrays has been chosen as an efficie nt and attractive approach for this research. Furthermore, microarray screening allows for a comparative analysis of resistance responses to vascular and foliar diseases in tomato, and will bring additional knowledge about unique and shared signaling casc ades as well as identification of candidate ge nes important for cross-talk between defense signaling pathways. Basic understanding of the molecular and physiological events governing plant-pathogen interactions is essential for the building of efficient and environmentally friendly strategies to defe at the problem of crop loss due to pathogen attack worldwide.