Volume 5 • 2021
InterView with Professor Emeritus Dr. Valerie Williamson
Dr. Valerie M. Williamson, professor emeritus at UC Davis, in the Department of Plant Pathology, was recently interviewed by Ani Chouldjian and Jennifer D. Lewis concerning her career at UC Davis and her studies on the Mi gene. The Mi gene is found in tomato and confers resistance to root-knot…
InterStellar: Interview with Newly Elected AAAS Fellow Dr. Barbara Kunkel
In recognition of her contributions to the scientific community as an educator, mentor, and researcher, Dr. Barbara Kunkel was named a 2020 AAAS Fellow. Yeram Hong and Jennifer D. Lewis interviewed Dr. Kunkel about her career, female role models in science, and diversity and inclusion in the scientific community….
InterStellar: Interview with APS Award of Distinction Honoree Dr. Jan Leach
Dr. Jan Leach is the 2020 recipient of the APS Award of Distinction. This honor is presented to persons who have made exceptional contributions to plant pathology. Dr. Kamal Kumar Malukani recently interviewed Dr. Leach to learn more about the qualities needed to become a leader in plant pathology….
InterStellar: Interview with World Agriculture Prize Recipient Dr. Pamela Ronald
Dr. Pamela Ronald was recently awarded the 2020 World Agriculture Prize for her achievements in agricultural research and science education. Nick Colaianni interviewed Dr. Ronald to learn more about her accomplishments, the challenges faced in food production, and how science is being used to address these issues….
InterConnections: Get to Know Kelley Clark
Kelley Clark and co-authors demonstrate the effect the SDE1 protein from the citrus greening (huanglongbing) pathogen can have on plants. Their results show that the effector is an important virulence factor that induces premature senescence-like responses in both Arabidopsis and citrus host plants….
IS-MPMIConnect Hosts Two Events in February
IS-MPMIConnect, the society’s exciting new virtual discussion space, hosted two events in February. The symposium held on February 17 focused on Mental Health and Dealing with Failure and the event on February 24 featured conversations with Dr. Morgan Halane….
Attend the Free LGBTQ+ Webinar from IS-MPMIConnect
Join IS-MPMIConnect on March 29 for the complimentary LGBTQ+ Webinar, where scientists at various stages in their professions will share their experiences with inequality and bias in STEM. Register today!…
Attend the Free Dealing with and Thriving as a Scientist with Disabilities Webinar
Join IS-MPMIConnect on April 14 for a conversation with scientists who are successful academics with disabilities at various stages in their careers. Register today!…
Call for Papers! Announcing the 2022 MPMI Focus Issue Topic
Focus Issue Editors Jacquie Bede, Kenichi Tsuda, and Jeanne Harris are inviting research and review articles that explore the complex interactions between plants, microbes, and the abiotic environment. Articles highlighting translational research, as well as fundamental understanding, are welcome. Learn more about this focus issue….
What’s New in MPMI! Seminar Discusses the Binary Distinction Between ETI and PTI
There are currently 11 What’s New in MPMI! virtual seminars available for viewing. Coming up next, Kenichi Tsuda will discuss Top 10 Question #5: Does ETI potentiate and restore PTI—or is there really a binary distinction between ETI and PTI? Register today!…
IS-MPMI Board of Directors Approves Inclusion Statement
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the International Society of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. As an international society, it is our priority to increase diversity and facilitate change….
Taking MPMI Discoveries to the Field Part II Workshop Held
To draw our community together, IS-MPMI gathered virtually for the second of two workshops titled Taking MPMI Discoveries to the Field. These workshops highlighted efforts to translate molecular discoveries to the field and address MPMI Top 10 Question #3: How can we translate basic research into emerging crop plants?…
IS-MPMI to Host 2021 IS-MPMI Congress: eSymposia Series
IS-MPMI is excited to announce the 2021 Congress: eSymposia Series, which will take place online with a series of three separate events starting this summer! Abstract submissions open later in March. Stay tuned for more details about this opportunity to share your research and network with colleagues at this virtual…
Take the IS-MPMI Congress Series Survey
We are always looking for content for Interactions. Please contact Interactions Editor-in-Chief Dennis Halterman with questions or article ideas….
INTERACTIONS ISSUE 4, 2021
InterConnections: Get to Know Hari Karki To identify the RB CC domain that does not interact with IPI-O4, Hari Karki et al. explored natural variations in the RB CC domain from different Solanaceae species. The study provides a clue about engineering new variants of known R genes that can further…
InterConnections: Get to Know Hari Karki
To identify the RB CC domain that does not interact with IPI-O4, Hari Karki et al. explored natural variations in the RB CC domain from different Solanaceae species. The study provides a clue about engineering new variants of known R genes that can further expand the resistance spectrum….
InterConnections: Get to Know Maria Malvino
In recently published research, Maria Laura Malvino et al. studied Xanthomonas bacteria and how they have evolved to evade recognition by host plants. They found some Xanthomonas species demonstrated a responsive memory, supporting previous work showing that bacteria deploy different strategies to improve their long-term fitness under fluctuating environmental conditions….
InterConnections: Get to Know Danielle Stevens
Compared to their gram-negative peers, actinobacterial pathogens are greatly understudied, in part due to the limited number of genetic and biochemical tools. Work recently published in MPMI by Danielle Stevens et al. highlights new genetic tools adapted and developed for Clavibacter with potential application in orphan systems….
InterConnections: Get to Know Yan Xu
This project explored the development and pathogenesis of an understudied phytopathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Although forward genetic approaches are often utilized to screen for mutants after random mutagenesis, Yan Xu et al. had to devise their own protocol for successful targeted gene disruption. Overcoming several obstacles, they created a forward genetic…
Upcoming What’s New in MPMI Virtual Webinars!
IS-MPMI is looking forward to the new year and four new virtual seminars! This series is freely available to all. Register today!…