Duc Tang

With their stockpiles of nutrients and energy, plants are prime targets for pathogen attacks. Although plants lack a circulating immune system, they have nevertheless evolved several mechanisms to guard and fight against pathogens. One of these mechanisms is known as the hypersensitive response. The hypersensitive response causes the infected cells to die in a process known as apoptosis to prevent the spread of the disease. My research involves the identification and characterization of protein complexes involved in the initial recognition of the pathogen by the plant and the signal transmission leading to the hypersensitive response. This research will aid in a better understanding of how plants thwart pathogen attacks.