By Thomas Baum, professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, ISU

Co-PI Steve Whitham, professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, ISU

Project Summary

Researchers will investigate the key effector functions of SCN and define the structural and dynamic features of effector interaction interfaces. This research seeks to reveal critical points of vulnerability within the SCN pathosystem, prioritize host genes for resistance breeding or gene editing and provide a foundation for developing targeted interventions to disrupt nematode infection at its earliest stages. Most importantly, however, this work will set in motion the much-needed shift from wet-lab bench work to powerful computational approaches to exploit the wealth of data generated at Iowa State with soybean checkoff support.

(3-year project funded fall 2025)