Team:NYMU-Taipei/Description

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Project Description

    Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of late blight disease of several members from the Solanaceae family. Potato, the third most important food crop in the world and one of the sources of major agricultural income in many countries, easily falls victim to P. infestans when temperature and moisture is suitable. What is even worse, if a single potato is infected, there is a chance that it may spread to other potatoes in the farm via water and soil. Yet most existing biological control methods are ineffective and may even have further negative effects.

     This year, the NYMU-Taipei iGEM team creates a new systematic way to fight against the notorious late blight pathogen. We have characterized a new defensin in order to block the nutrient absorption and further growth of the oomycete. Moreover, a new mechanism can spontaneously be triggered by salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide released by potatoes when attacked by pathogens. Inspired by competitive inhibition in pharmacology, we designed and improved a ligand with higher affinity aiding the entrance of P. infestans toxin (Avr 1). To detect whether the potato is susceptible to late blight, we devised a soil-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) detecting salicylic acid emission and producing oscillating current.

    In our project design, we try to cover every aspect that can prevent, fight against, and detect potato late blight, striving to come up with a way to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of fungicide jeopardizing the environment and other species. Furthermore, we will provide a standard procedure that can easily be followed by anyone without advanced knowledge in biology. We seek to not only secure the supply of food sources, but also to help producers ride through the predicament.