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<OL> <LI> Identify the regulatory factors and signaling pathways that control aflatoxin biosynthesis and degradation in Aspergillus. <LI>Identify genes in the maize genome that contribute to resistance to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. <LI> Investigate the pathogen-plant interactions occurring in Aspergillus infections of maize. <LI>Generate gene-specific primers for use in marker assisted selection. <LI>Conduct marker assisted selection to generate new resistant lines.
Non-Technical Summary: The goal of this project is to identify aflatoxin regulatory proteins in Aspergillus and maize; determine the roles of these factors, generate gene-specific primers that can be used as markers in the development of maize with enhanced resistance to aflatoxin accumulation. <P> Approach: 1. Identify the regulatory factors and signaling pathways that control aflatoxin biosynthesis and degradation in Aspergillus. 2. Identify genes in the maize genome that contribute to resistance to Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. 3. Investigate the pathogen-plant interactions occurring in Aspergillus infections of maize. 4. Generate gene-specific primers for use in marker assisted selection. 5. Conduct marker assisted selection to generate new resistant lines.