Scientists are steps closer to stopping the microbe responsible for the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s as well as various outbreaks in the northeastern United States since the 1990s.
Professor of Biology William Morgan has researched the pathogen (Phytophthora infestans, which means ìplant destroyer”) since his research leave from the College in 2000.† He and colleague Sophien Kamoun, formerly of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, have collaborated on developing an ìunderstanding how the organism can affect tomatoes and potato plants,” explains Morgan.† ìBy better understanding the pathogen, we can come up with a treatment to control the spread of it.”
Kamoun, Morgan and over 90 other scientists recently published a journal article apping the genome of the pathogen in the Sept. 13 edition of ìNature,” a highly respected journal for the natural sciences.† ìIt was exciting to be a part of such a big project,” said Morgan.† Mapping the genome is an important step to gaining deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the pathogen.
Work on the pathogen is ongoing.† Kamoun moved from the OARDC two years ago to Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, England, to continue work on understanding the pathogen.† Kamoun is utilizing ìplant-based studies” in England with ìa variety of approaches,” states Morgan.
Morgan also plans to continue his research on Phytophthora infestans during his upcoming research leave in 2010.† He plans to further his research on the organism abroad by visiting the Sainsbury Laboratory as well as attend a meeting of researchers in Toulouse, France.† In the meantime, Morgan is advising two Senior Independent Study projects focusing on the pathogen.† Tarik Atassi í10 and MinYoung Heo í10, are studying the protein mechanism formed by the pathogen.† Morgan said, ìWhen the pathogen enters the organism, it produces protein.† Some of that protein will transfer into the initial organism.”† The two are devising a simplified modeling system to replicate the effects of the protein inside of a plant cell by using bread yeast cells.† ìIt provides really useful information,” says Morgan.
Morgan credits the proximity and close relationship between the College and the OARDC for progressing his work.† ìHaving a branch of The Ohio State University two miles from campus provides lots of opportunity for Independent Study students, research and sabbatical, and collaboration,” he states.† He acknowledged his work with this pathogen is proof of ìwhat can come out of that opportunity.”