Molecular characterisation of the Prf bacterial recognition complex of tomato

Plants have evolved sophisticated recognition systems to detect pathogens. These involve large multiprotein complexes containing nucleotide-binding - nucleotide rich repeats (NB-LRR) proteins. NB-LRR complexes recognise pathogen 'effector' proteins, although how this is translated into the immune response is unclear. Here, I address two outstanding questions. Firstly, we will characterise the composition of the Prf NB-LRR complex of tomato, before and after activation by effectors. Secondly, we will investigate the molecular mechanisms that translate effector recognition to Prf activation. The results will have broad application to our understanding of plant immunity, and provide new strategies to engineer crop disease resistance.