Lewis Lab Research

We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of plant immunity, and how pathogens adapt to host recognition. Our research focuses on Pseudomonas syringae, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that can infect more than 100 plant species. P. syringae uses the type III secretion system to secrete and translocate effector proteins into the plant. Many of these effector proteins are believed to function primarily in the suppression of host defense signaling. However recognition of these effector proteins by resistance (R, also called NLR) proteins induces immunity.