Jan Leach

University Distinguished Professor

Jan.Leach@ColoState.edu
C203 Plant Sciences
(970) 491-2924

The long term goal unifying the research program in the Leach lab is to understand the molecular basis for broad-spectrum, durable disease resistance in plants. In this way, we can identify target points for plant modification to improve resistance to achieve sustainable crop production. Each of our projects involves rice (Oryza sativa) as a host plant, but we use different bacterial and fungal pathogens to understand resistance mechanisms. All current projects involve collaborations with other labs in the USA and internationally.

Courses I Teach:

Molecular Plant- Microbe / Pest Interactions (BSPM 550) (Fall Odd Years)

Plant Bacteriology (BSPM 502B) (Fall Even Years)

Representative Publications:

McNally, K., R. Bruskiewich, D. Mackill, C.R.Buell, J. Leach, H. Leung. 2006. Sequencing multiple and diverse rice varieties: Connecting whole-genome variation with phenotypes. Plant Physiol.141:26-31.

Zhao, B.Y. X. Lin, J. Poland, H. Trick, J. Leach, S. Hulbert. 2005. A maize resistance gene functions against bacterial streak disease in rice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.102:15383-15388.

Liu, B., S. Zhang, X. Zhu, Q. Yang, S. Wu, M. Mei, R. Mauleon, J. Leach, T. Mew, H. Leung. 2004. Candidate defense genes as predictors of quantitative disease resistance in rice. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:1146-1152.

Zhao, B., E. Ardales, A. Raymundo, J. Bai, H. Trick, J. Leach*, S. Hulbert. 2004. The avrRxo1 gene from the rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola confers a nonhost defense reaction on maize with resistance gene Rxo1. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 17:771-779.

Zhao B., E. Ardales, E. Brasset, L. Claflin, J. Leach, S. Hulbert. 2004. The Rxo1/Rba1 locus of maize controls resistance reactions to pathogenic and non-host bacteria. Theor. Appl. Genet. 109:71-79.