Mauricio Contreras

Predoctoral Student
Sophien Kamoun Group

The molecular dialogue that underlies plant-pathogen interactions is wonderfully intricate and complex.  Currently, I am studying how the oomycete Phytophthora infestans can co-opt autophagy pathways in its host to promote disease. Understanding the mechanisms through which pathogens in general evade immunity and successfully infect their hosts is key if we wish to engineer disease-resistant crops.