Molecular Plant Virology Laboratory

Scott Schrage | University Communication / Journal of Virology

University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Nebraska Center for Virology | Plant Pathology Department | Research Opportunities

Our research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of plant-virus interactions. We are interested in the mechanism of antiviral immunity in plants and the mechanisms of pathogenicity in plant viruses. We are also interested in the identification and characterization of cellular genes that condition susceptibility to viruses. These projects combine genetic, genomic, and bioinformatic approaches to identify and characterize plant and viral genes as related to the establishment of infection and disease development.

We have identified the core genetic components of antiviral gene silencing against potyviruses and shown the effects of silencing suppressors in overcoming antiviral defense responses. Current projects address early events in the antiviral RNA silencing pathway, such as initiation and amplification.

Latest News

December 2021

Erica Schufeldt defended her thesis and graduated with a degree in Microbiology.

October 2021

Rosalba Rodriguez Pena presented "Mechanisms of silencing suppression by MCMV and SCMV proteins".

July 2021

Katherine LaTourrette and Hernan Garcia-Ruiz featured on Nebraska Today article, "COVID-causing coronavirus following predictable mutational footsteps".

July 2021

Katherine LaTourrette published "Genome-Wide Variation in Betacoronaviruses" in the Journal of Virology.

May 2021

Erica Schufeldt and Katie Tran were awarded a UCARE grant for the 2021-2022 school year.