Wenbo Ma

She studies the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial pathogenesis. In particular, she interested in elucidating the strategies employed by bacteria and oomycete pathogens to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of symbiotic relationship with plant hosts. A combination of comparative genomic, functional genomic, genetic, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches is utilized to accomplish these goals. Novel knowledge obtained from our research will contribute to the development of sustainable control strategies against these destructive plant diseases.The main focus of her research is a group of specialized virulence proteins, called effectors, which are secreted from the pathogens and directly manipulate specific physiological processes or signaling pathways in host cells for the benefit of infection. A broad range of parasites, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, protozoa, insects and nematodes, subvert host immunity through the functions of effectors. She is working on the type III effectors of bacterial pathogens and the RxLR effectors of Phytophthora pathogens to understand their functions and evolution during the arms race with plant hosts.