The Plant-Nematode Interactome: Identifying Cross-Species Gene Networks

PI: Dahlia Nielsen (North Carolina State University)

CoPIs: David Bird (North Carolina State University), Mark Melton (St. Augustines College),Jennifer Schaff (North Carolina State University and Valerie Williamson (University of California-Davis)

Key Collaborator: Christopher Smith (North Carolina State University)

Root knot nematodes are parasites of most plants, including vegetables, field crops, trees, turf grass, and ornamentals. During an infection, the nematodes penetrate the roots and establish permanent feeding sites that compromise normal root function, including moisture and nutrient uptake by the plant. Infected plants suffer restricted growth, reduced yield and premature death. The goal of this project is to examine the plant-nematode relationship on a genetic level. The overall question addressed is: How does the genetic makeup of the nematode influence gene expression in its host plant? This question will be answered using a modification of a genetic analysis tool called expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping. Advanced DNA sequencing technology will be used to measure both gene expression levels in the plant and to identify genetic markers in the DNA of the nematode. Connections between the DNA of the nematode and the gene expression of the plant will be made using eQTL mapping strategies. Additionally, various traits related to pathogenicity will be described during the course of the project. Ultimately, genetic markers in the nematode, gene expression levels in the host plant and in the nematode, and pathogenicity trait measurements will be used to infer entire plant-nematode genomic networks.

It is estimated that global losses due to plant-parasitic nematodes exceed $125 billion annually, placing nematodes among the top most economically damaging plant pathogens. Developing new control methods will require a more thorough understanding of the nematode-plant interactions, which is a major goal of this project. All of the sequence data produced by the project will be released to the NCBI Sequence Read Archive for immediate access and long term storage. Processed data, including genotypes and summarized transcript abundances, will be made accessible for graphical visualization and download at the Legume Information System (http://comparative-legumes.org/) and on Nematode.net (http://www.nematode.net/). A key component of the project is the inclusion of undergraduate students from St. Augustines College in Raleigh, a college that historically serves minority students. Selected students will join NCSU research labs and computational efforts as Kelman Scholars and form the nucleus for a broadened interaction between NCSU and St. Augustines.