​Join over 1,000 scientists, researchers, and industry professionals July 13–17 in Cologne, Germany, for the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress! Registration closes on July 7. There will be no onsite registration—secure your spot now to access the latest advancements in plant-microbe interactions.

Note, IS-MPMI members enjoy discounted registration rates for the congress. Scientists from some countries are eligible for discounted membership in IS-MPMI.

Focus Issue Guest Editors: Tarek Hewezi, Hari Krishnan, Kevin Garcia, and Mina Ohtsu

Focus Issue Topic: Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interactions in the Rhizosphere

The rhizosphere is a dynamic environment for microbial activity, where plants engage in a wide array of interactions with surrounding microorganisms. These interactions can be mutually beneficial, as in the case of symbiotic partnerships that enhance nutrient acquisition and stress resilience, or detrimental, involving pathogens that compromise plant health and productivity. This focus issue aims to highlight cutting-edge advances in our understanding of the dynamic relationships between plants and microbes within the rhizosphere, encompassing both beneficial symbioses and pathogenic interactions.

We encourage submissions that investigate both beneficial symbiotic associations, such as mycorrhizal and rhizobial interactions, and detrimental pathogenic processes caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and parasitic nematodes. Studies incorporating molecular, genetic, biochemical, ecological, and systems biology approaches are particularly welcome. We welcome original research articles, short communications, and reviews that explore molecular mechanisms, ecological significance, and potential agricultural applications.

Submit No​​w ​​

July-August MPMI Editor’s Pick

Suppression of a Transketolase Mutation Leads to Only Partial Restoration of Symbiosis in Sinorhizobium meliloti

In Sinorhizobium meliloti, loss of the carbon metabolism blocks symbiosis with alfalfa. In their paper published in MPMI, Sabhjeet Kaur et al. demonstrate that disrupting the key metabolic enzyme transketolase (tktA) in S. meliloti completely impaired its ability to engage in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with alfalfa. Although activating a backup gene (tktB) restored some growth and metabolism, it could not fully rescue symbiotic function or stress resistance. Read the Commentary by MPMI Assistant Feature Editor Jawahar Singh to learn more.

Catch Up on Other Recent MPMI Editor’s Picks

Interaction Between Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-GAV Movement Protein and VOZ Proteins Delays Flowering of Plant, by Yilin Zhang et al.

The XopAE Effector from Xanthom​onas phaseoli pv. manihotis Targets HSP20-like p23 Cochaperone to Suppress Plant Basal Immunity, by Diana Gomez De La Cruz et al.​

Focus Issue Guest Editors: Tarek Hewezi, Hari Krishnan, Kevin Garcia, and Mina Ohtsu

Focus Issue Topic: Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interactions in the Rhizosphere

The rhizosphere is a dynamic environment for microbial activity, where plants engage in a wide array of interactions with surrounding microorganisms. These interactions can be mutually beneficial, as in the case of symbiotic partnerships that enhance nutrient acquisition and stress resilience, or detrimental, involving pathogens that compromise plant health and productivity. This focus issue aims to highlight cutting-edge advances in our understanding of the dynamic relationships between plants and microbes within the rhizosphere, encompassing both beneficial symbioses and pathogenic interactions.

We encourage submissions that investigate both beneficial symbiotic associations, such as mycorrhizal and rhizobial interactions, and detrimental pathogenic processes caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and parasitic nematodes. Studies incorporating molecular, genetic, biochemical, ecological, and systems biology approaches are particularly welcome. We welcome original research articles, short communications, and reviews that explore molecular mechanisms, ecological significance, and potential agricultural applications.

Submit No​​w ​​

July-August MPMI Editor’s Pick

Suppression of a Transketolase Mutation Leads to Only Partial Restoration of Symbiosis in Sinorhizobium meliloti

In Sinorhizobium meliloti, loss of the carbon metabolism blocks symbiosis with alfalfa. In their paper published in MPMI, Sabhjeet Kaur et al. demonstrate that disrupting the key metabolic enzyme transketolase (tktA) in S. meliloti completely impaired its ability to engage in nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with alfalfa. Although activating a backup gene (tktB) restored some growth and metabolism, it could not fully rescue symbiotic function or stress resistance. Read the Commentary by MPMI Assistant Feature Editor Jawahar Singh to learn more.

Catch Up on Other Recent MPMI Editor’s Picks

Interaction Between Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus-GAV Movement Protein and VOZ Proteins Delays Flowering of Plant, by Yilin Zhang et al.

The XopAE Effector from Xanthom​onas phaseoli pv. manihotis Targets HSP20-like p23 Cochaperone to Suppress Plant Basal Immunity, by Diana Gomez De La Cruz et al.​

Professor Hailing Jin was interviewed by Ruby Tiwari, MPMI Assistant Features Editor

​Hailing Jin joined the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside, in 2004, where she is now a professor and the Cy Mouradick Endowed Chair. Her research focuses on the roles of RNAs and peptides in plant-microbe interactions and the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immunity and pathogen virulence. With the overarching goal of developing effective and environmentally sustainable strategies to combat plant diseases and secure global food production, her work bridges fundamental discovery with real-world impact.

Upon learning of her election to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), she described the news as a “huge surprise, totally unexpected.” She views her election to NAS as both an honor and a responsibility, which strengthens her commitment to advancing science, mentoring the next generation, and driving sustainable agriculture through basic and translational research in RNA, epigenetics, and antimicrobial peptides.

Hailing Jin’s journey shows how early curiosity, nurturing mentors, and persistence can shape a lifelong passion for discovery. From peering at blood cells under a microscope as a child to uncovering cross-kingdom RNA communication—a breakthrough that revealed how plants and pathogens exchange molecular messages—her career reflects the power of asking bold questions and embracing challenges. She reminds young scientists that setbacks and surprises are part of the process, and persistence, creativity, and curiosity are the keys to turning them into breakthroughs. Her election to the NAS is not just recognition of her achievements but also a call to inspire and support future scientists.

Can you briefly share your journey into science, and what first sparked your interest in the field of molecular plant-microbe interactions?

My journey into science began in childhood with my grandfather’s balcony full of colorful flowering plants, which first sparked my love for plants and my curiosity about nature. In elementary school, I often accompanied my mom to her lab on weekends, where seeing blood cells under a microscope opened my eyes to the hidden details of life. Later, during a high school internship in an Obstetrics/Gynecology Department examining chromosome slides, I fell in love with genetics. Together, these experiences guided me toward biology and plant sciences, where I’ve built my passion for uncovering how plants function and defend themselves.

Were there any key mentors or moments that shaped your scientific path early on?

My very first scientific mentor was my mother. She sat me down at a microscope, taught me how to stain and distinguish human chromosomes, and, most importantly, showed me how to think with curiosity and rigor like a scientist. That early spark shaped the way I see the world. Throughout my journey, I have been blessed with remarkable mentors—my Ph.D. advisors, postdoctoral mentors, and senior colleagues in the fields of plant molecular biology and plant-microbe interaction—who have shared not just knowledge, but also wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration over the years. They have profoundly influenced the way I pursue science and mentor the next generation.

Your research has had a significant impact on the field of molecular plant-microbe interactions. How would you describe your most influential work(s) to your colleagues?

I would describe our discovery of cross-kingdom RNA trafficking as uncovering an entirely new form of communication between hosts and pathogens. We have found that plants and their pathogens engage in a remarkable dialogue by exchanging RNA molecules, which are protected and delivered in vesicle “bubbles,” almost like messages, to influence and manipulate each other. This work opened a new window into how organisms interact at the molecular level and revealed a strategy that pathogens use to promote infection—and that plants use to defend themselves.

Looking back, were there any surprising turns or discoveries in your research that changed your trajectory?

Not really, I was very determined and had a strong passion for plant sciences and RNA biology right from the beginning.

What does being elected to the NAS mean to you personally and professionally? What responsibilities do you feel come with this kind of recognition from your peers?

This recognition means a great deal to me, but I see it less as a conclusion and more as a new beginning. Being elected to the NAS is both an honor and a responsibility—an acknowledgment of past contributions, but also a call to do more. It inspires me to advance science with greater dedication, to translate scientific discoveries into eco-friendly crop protection solutions, to support the broader research community, and to continue mentoring the next generation of scientists. I am especially proud that 17 members of my lab have gone on to faculty positions, and I remain deeply committed to helping many more achieve their goals.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your research to date, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge—and at the same time the most exciting part—of my research has been uncovering something completely novel and unexpected. Such discoveries naturally spark many questions, both from myself and from peers in the field, but they also push me to think more deeply and design more creative experimental strategies to rigorously test the findings from multiple angles. I’ve learned that the best way to overcome the challenge is persistence: thinking critically, testing broadly, and approaching the question from different perspectives. What makes it especially rewarding is seeing our discoveries later validated by many other labs across diverse plant, microbe, and even animal systems, confirming their broader significance.

What advice would you give to early-career scientists hoping to make a lasting impact in the field of molecular plant-microbe interactions?

My advice to early-career scientists is to hold on to your passion for science and let curiosity be your guide. The field of molecular plant-microbe interactions is full of complexity and surprises, and lasting impact often comes from asking bold questions and not being afraid to explore uncharted directions. The only thing you need is to think more and test more. Stay focused on solving meaningful problems, even when the path is challenging, and let your curiosity drive you through obstacles. Above all, enjoy the process of discovery—because it’s that passion and persistence that will carry you forward and make your contributions truly lasting.

What do you wish more people understood about molecular plant-microbe interactions research?

I wish more people understood that molecular plant-microbe interactions research is not just about plants or pathogens in isolation—it’s about the complex, dynamic conversations happening at the molecular level that shape food security and sustainable agriculture. This research uncovers the fundamental rules of communication, defense, and adaptation in nature, and it has real-world impacts on crop protection, disease management, and even biotechnology. Appreciating the depth and relevance of these interactions helps highlight why investing in this field is critical for both science and society.

Are there any emerging areas in your field of research that you think are particularly promising or underexplored?

One particularly promising area is the role of RNAs and epigenetic regulation in plant–microbe interactions. We are only beginning to understand how small RNAs and other RNA species move between plants and microbes, and even among microbes themselves, to shape immunity and pathogenicity, what exactly their paths and functions are in the destination cells and organisms, and how epigenetic modifications influence these processes across generations. These aspects are still waiting to be explored. These layers of regulation open exciting opportunities to uncover new mechanisms of communication and to identify new defense regulators, which could ultimately lead to innovative, sustainable strategies for crop protection.