Research
Research in the Day Lab focuses on understanding the genetic and biochemical interactions that occur between plant pathogens and their respective hosts. Our primary interests are centered on understanding how plants initiate, and assemble, the resistance response. Using the Arabidopsis thaliana-Pseudomonas syringae interaction, we are investigating the molecular events associated with the induction of resistance in plants following pathogen perception. Our lab utilizes a variety of biochemical, genetic and cell biology approaches to investigate how plants perceive pathogens, and ultimately, how pathogen perception is translated into resistance.Projects currently underway in our laboratory are:1) A cell biology and genetics-based approach to investigate the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton during pathogen infection, and its involvement in gene-for-gene resistance.
2) Comparative and structural biochemistry to characterize the molecular switches which control resistance activation.
3) A genome-scale investigation towards understanding the regulation and specificity associated with race-specific resistance in the Pseudoperonospora cubensis-cucurbit interaction, leading to the development of downy mildew.