Understanding the role of zinc-binding effectors in stem rust virulence

By 2050 it is projected that our current food production will need to increase by 50-70% to meet the demands of our growing global population (Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)). One challenge of meeting these demands is developing novel control strategies and durable resistance for diseases effecting major agricultural crops, which account for 15% of our crop losses yearly. To combat this, we need improved understanding of the interactions between pathogens and plants.