Development of A Comprehensive Genomic Database of Pathogens of Theobroma Cacao.

Genomic databases of pathogens provide information needed to develop diagnostic tools required to determine the causes of disease epidemics and to certify that planting materials are disease-free in cacao quarantine facilities. Additionally, genomic databases serve to increase our knowledge of the biology of pathogens and their effectors that lead to disease. This knowledge will lead to better strategies for developing and exploiting disease resistance/tolerance in breeding programs. The objective of this project is to re-sequence, further assemble, and evaluate the genomes and transcriptomes of the main pathogens of cacao. By comparing the sequences of multiple isolates of each pathogen we will obtain a better understanding of their genetic diversity supporting cacao breeding programs globally.