3D analysis of immunosuppressing protein secreted by potato late blight pathogen reveals its disease mechanism
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 - 09:30
in Health & Medicine
Phytophthora is Latin for "plant destroyer," and Phytophthora infestans is the pathogen that causes potato late blight. This pathogen is responsible for widespread devastation of potato crops, and is especially known as the cause of the mass starvation in Ireland in the 19th century. With about 100 million tons of potatoes consumed annually, worldwide losses from potato late blight amount to 6.7 billion dollars annually (statistics from Wageningen University, The Netherlands), which represents a serious effect on food security.