Review of combinations of experimental and computational techniques to identify and understand genes involved in innate immunity and effector-triggered defence

Abstract

The innate immune system includes a first layer of defence that recognises conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns that are essential for microbial fitness. Resistance (R) gene-based recognition of pathogen effectors, which function in modulation or avoidance of host immunity, activates a second layer of plant defence. In this review, experimental and computational techniques are considered to improve understanding of the plant immune system. Biocomputation contributes to discovery of the molecular genetic basis of host resistance against pathogens. Sequenced genomes have been used to identify R genes in plants. Resistance gene enrichment sequencing based on conserved protein domains has increased the number of R genes with nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat domains. Network analysis will contribute to an improved understanding of the innate immune system and identify novel genes for partial disease resistance. Machine learning algorithms are expected to become important in defining aspects of the immune system that are less well characterised, including identification of R genes that lack conserved protein domains.