This project will determine the function of a network of genes involved in disease resistance. The genes studied will be chosen from among those found to be expressed at increased levels after pathogen infection. As several thousand genes satisfy this condition, genes will be prioritized based on other characteristics, such as rapid expression changes or annotation suggesting functions in signaling, secondary metabolism, or unknown function. There are four Specific Aims:

1. Obtain global expression profiles for Arabidopsis responses to P. syringae infection

2. Identify genes that contribute to resistance to P. syringae.

3. Identify genes comprising the defense signaling circuitry controlling activation of defense responses.

4. Model the defense signaling circuitry using gene expression profiles of regulatory mutants.