Plant Molecular Biology

Afzal lab emphasis on understanding the role of the multifunctional protein RIN4, which regulates both branches of the plant immune system. Plants employ multiple layers of immunity to guard against infection. The first layer responds to structures within conserved microbial molecules. The second layer responds to effector proteins, which are pathogen-encoded virulence factors.  These two “branches” of the immune system synergize to provide robust host defense that halts most infections.