Microarray-Based Detection of Plant Viral and Viral-like Pathogen

NATO Destekli Araştırma Projesi, 2005 - 2009

Proje Türü: NATO Destekli Araştırma Projesi
Başlama Tarihi: Mart 2005
Bitiş Tarihi: Mart 2009

Proje Özeti

Plant viruses are infectious agents composed of long nucleotide chains, either linear (RNA viruses) or circular (DNA viruses) surrounded by a proteinaceous capsid. Viroids, however, are small covalently closed, single-stranded RNA molecules that contain 246-401 nucleotides and possess no capsid or mRNA activity. They are the smallest known infectious agents and discovered only in infected plants. Viruses and viroids are constantly threatening our food supply from vegetables and fruits. Some of these pathogens have been classified as bio-terror agents. Hence they are the object of regular detection tests, stringent quarantine measures, and eradication.

To address the limitations of current virus and viroid detection methodologies, related to the limited number of one-by-one available tests, we suggest the development and implementation of a genomic approach based on tiling oligonucleotide microarrays derived from the sequence of the pathogens retrieved from public databases. This technology provides the highest capability for specific testing, which can be used to simultaneously identify, characterize and differentiate many pathogens. The microarray will have the potential to detect major virus and viroid genera of pome and stone fruits, citrus, and vegetables, which may threaten the stability and security of food supply in the countries involved in the project. Fruit may include apple, pear, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, olive, orange, mandarin, lemon and fig. Vegetables may include tomato, potato, pepper, cucumber, squash, cabbage, cauliflower, bean, pea, eggplant, carrot, lettuce, and onion.

Implementation of the virus/viroid array will give the national and international Plant Protection Authorities an exquisite tool that will help contain the spread of plant pathogens and safeguard food supply. The use of the same technology in the participating countries (from Europe, the Middle East and the USA) will help coordinate efforts on a worldwide scale.