Title: Integrated Technologies for the Rapid Diagnosis of Known and Emerging Plant Pathogens
PI: Keith Perry, Cornell University
Co-PIs: Chris Smart, Cornell University and Amy Charkowski, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The rapid diagnosis of known and emerging plant pathogens is limited by many factors, including available technologies, instrumentation, sample quality, expense, and the resources of diagnosticians. Especially challenging are exotic pathogens that may be unfamiliar to growers, researchers, and diagnosticians, and whose introduction may be a threat to US agriculture. This project's objective is to develop a range of diagnostic tools to complement and expand upon the resources of existing diagnostic networks. The combination of strategies will include multiplex PCR, microbial community analyses (via DNA polymorphism techniques of t-RFLP and SSCP), and microarrays. These will be validated by and extend upon existing biological, serological, and nucleic acid-based methods with the ultimate goals of: i) fabricating microarrays to detect a broad range of bacterial, viral, oomycete and fungal pathogens, and ii) developing databases of DNA profiles (t-RFLP and PCR-SSCP) for pathogens and other plant associated microorganisms. The experimental focus will be on pathogens of solanaceous crops (potato, tomato, pepper, and eggplant), with emphases on Ralstonia solanacearum, Potato virus Y, and Phytophthora infestans. Many solanaceous plant pathogens and their relatives are found on other crops and we envision broadening the diagnostics to include microarrays and DNA profiles for pathogens of other plant families or a regional selection of crops. The education and outreach components of the project will be web-based, emphasizing both national and local activities. Through a combination of technology development and educational outreach, this project will enhance national plant biosecurity.