A deeper understanding of the biology of one of the most devastating plant viruses against potato crops is part of a new $ 6.1 million lab focused on host virus virology and dynamics, a main University study. This will be the focal point of the hub.

The National Science Foundation awarded the University of Arkansas a grant to establish the Institute for Host Viral Evolution Dynamics. The hub sites are located at the University of Maine, the University of Arkansas at Pinebluff, Wasita Baptist University, and the University of Inter-Americana at Puerto Rico.

Scientists are studying several viral systems in all areas of life, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. The aim is to establish the basic “rules of life” or virological laws that apply to all viruses, or at least to a large set of viral systems.

The institute is headed by Ruben Michael Sevalos, assistant professor in the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas, and works with an interdisciplinary team of geneticists, virologists, ecologists and mathematicians. The UMaine Hub is headed by E. Han Tan, Assistant Professor of Plant Genetics.

UMaine will receive more than $ 446,800 to fund a study led by Tan and Peter Nelson, directors of forest ecology at the Schooodic Institute in Acadia National Park. Their research team is using the hyperspectral method to study potato virus Y (PVY), the strain of which causes severe yield losses in Maine and elsewhere. Researchers will also use genomic tools from UMaine’s Maine Center for Genetics in the Environment to study potato PVY.

“Our research not only tests new methods of detecting potatoes infected with PVY, but the potato industry spends considerable sums of money each year on laboratory tests, as well as in an arms race between the PVY and potatoes. We want to better understand the competition. The viral system being investigated in this lab, ”explains Tan.

Tan, along with other leaders at the hub, is a co-principal investigator for NSF grants. Anissa Buckner, professor and director of biology at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Nathan Reina, Associate Professor at Washita Baptist University. Elizabeth Padilla, Associate Professor of La Universidad Inter-Americana.

The University of Arkansas says researchers at the Institute for Host Virus Evolution Dynamics will study different viral systems in the realm of life. Press release NSF Award Announcement. Viruses are ubiquitous in all walks of life, but the diversity of spheres presents challenges in establishing universal laws that all viruses adhere to.

Using a common experimental approach, comparing and integrating data from studies of all viral systems, species skips, viral port status, changes in infection rates, emergence of viral strains highly virulent Generates rules of life that determine variables such as. The Rules of Life are one of the National Science Foundation 10 big ideas For pioneering research that will help the future of the country.

“By using statistical modeling of reflectance analyzes to study potato viruses, we might be able to provide a quick and easy way to detect and manage virus outbreaks,” said a faculty member. from the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. But Nelson said.

Contact: Margaret Nagle, [email protected]