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S.P. Dinesh-Kumar

 

Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development; Microbiology

Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Education

B.S., M.S. University of Agricultural Sciences, India 1987
Iowa State Univ. 1993

Research Interests

Plant immune receptors encoded by Resistance(R) genes are the best-studied sensors of invading pathogens. Plant immune receptors contain domains that are also found in pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) required for mammalian innate immunity. Despite all of the structural similarities with animal PRRs, plant immune receptors recognize specific pathogen effectors rather than non-specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Our long-term goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which plant immune receptors mediate innate immune signaling. A successful innate immune response in plants is often associated with programmed cell death (PCD) at or near the site of pathogen infection. Recent studies from our lab indicate that an evolutionarily conserved autophagy process plays an important role in limiting PCD to the infection site. Recent studies in animals also demonstrate that the autophagy is involved in innate as well as adaptive immunities. Our long-term goal is to understand the interplay between autophagy, innate immunity, and PCD.

Links

• Dinesh-Kumar Homepage

Recent Publications

• Burch-Smith, T.M., Schiff, M., Caplan, J., Tsao, J., Czymmek, K., and Dinesh-Kumar, S.P. (2007). A novel role for the TIR domain in association with pathogen-derived elicitors. PLoS Biol. 5(e68):501-514.
• Liu, Y., Schiff, M., Czymmek, K., Talloczy, Z., Levine, B., and Dinesh-Kumar, S.P. (2005). Autophagy regulates programmed cell death during the plant innate immune response. Cell 121:567-577.

Contact

E-mail
savithramma.dinesh
-kumar@yale.edu