IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF REGULATORY GENES IN A. FLAVUS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT, SECONDARY METABOLISM AND VIRULENCE

Identify key genes in Aspergillus flavus whose expression are dependent on the presence of regulatory genes such as homeobox 1 (hbx1), hbx1-dependent genes and microRNA-like RNAs (ribonucleic acids). Functionally characterize the role of these genes in the biology of the fungus including regulation of development, secondary metabolism and virulence. Analyze the potential of newly identified genes to serve as targets for maize RNAi-based gene silencing approaches.