Geminivirus Resistance
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers are further developing a robust technology that may provide broad range geminivirus resistance to crops by exploiting the virusΓÇÖs fundamental requirement to replicate. The technology involves activating a toxicity gene upon recognition of a replicative (Rep) protein expressed by the virus.Geminiviruses are rapidly becoming major plant pathogens in the tropical and subtropical regions. Economically important crops that are affected by geminiviruses include maize, cotton, cassava, bean, tomato and grain legumes. Such infections can result in yield losses ranging from 10-100%. Current resistance strategies have had limited success due to the virusΓÇÖs genetic hypervariability, ability to break host resistance and ability to invade new hosts. By exploiting the virusΓÇÖs fundamental requirement to replicate, this technology may protect the aforementioned crops and provide farmers with resistant crop varieties to a broad range of geminiviruses.This technology is available for licensing or development opportunities to interested industry partners.
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