Sohnlab studies microbial pathogenesis and plant innate immunity. In particular, we are interested in better understanding the mechanisms by which intracellular R proteins recognize pathogen-derived molecules and activate immune responses in plants. Our research topics include but are not limited to
- Mechanisms by which plant R proteins recognize pathogen effectors and activate immunity
- Effector functions during bacterial and fungal pathogenesis
- Genetic engineering of durable plant immunity to accelerate molecular crop breeding
