Soybean response to brown stem rot fungus infection

Brown stem rot (BSR), caused by the fungus Phialophora gregata, reduces yield by 38%. Three dominant BSR resistance loci have been identified: Rbs1, Rbs2, and Rbs3. All three genes have been mapped to large, overlapping regions on soybean chromosome 16 though the gene networks regulating resistance remain unknown. Further, identifying resistant germplasm by genotyping or phenotyping remains difficult due to complexities of soybean/P. gregata interactions. To aid in identifying and characterizing soybean resistance genes, novel approaches bridging the gap between breeding and genomics are needed. To identify genes and gene networks important in the resistant response, I conducted RNA-Seq of leaf, stem, and root tissues collected 12, 24, and 36 hours after P. gregata or mock-infection of a Rbs3 resistant soybean genotype. I identified genes differentially expressed in response to infection (treatment) at each time point.