Using phages to control pathogen abundance and virulence

Context

Plant pathogenic bacteria cause considerable economic losses to food production systems, largely because there is a lack of effective control methods.

The research

In this project, led by Dr Ville Friman, we are investigating how phages (plant-specific viruses) can be used to combat wilt disease caused by infection with Ralstonia solanacearum bacteria. The Harper lab is specifically interested in how Ralstonia infection and treatment with phage therapy affects the plant immune system.