Our Potato Pathology & Genomics Program focuses on the genetics and genomics of potato plant resistances and important potato disease organisms. Using molecular and applied research techniques, we are identifying, characterizing, isolating, and deploying previously unknown or under-utilized sources of natural genetic resistance. Utilizing wild potato germplasm, we aim for long-term solutions to important potato diseases, while reducing grower and environmental costs associated with frequent pesticide applications. Current research includes the development of novel genomics tools for potato and related wild species, including genome-wide mapping methods for potato disease resistance genes and "allelic mining" at important disease resistance loci, screening wild potato species for resistance to late blight and Verticillium wilt, and evaluation of in vitro screening procedures for late blight.

Recent Publications:

Sanchez M.J., Bradeen J.M. 2006. Towards efficient isolation of R gene orthologs from multiple genotypes: optimization of Long Range-PCR. Molecular Breeding 17:137-148.

Bradeen, J, Naess, S., Song, J., Haberlach, G., Wielgus, S., Buell, C., Jiang, J. & Helgeson, J. (2003). Concomitant reiterative BAC walking and fine genetic mapping enable physical map development for the broad-spectrum late blight resistance region, RB. Molecular Genetics and Genomics: 269:603-611.

Song, J., Bradeen, J.M., Naess, S.K., Raasch, J.A., Wielgus, S.M., Haberlach, G.T., Liu, J., Kuang, H., Austin-Phillips, S., Buell, C.R., Helgeson, J.P. & J Jiang, J. (2003). Gene RB cloned from Solanum bulbocastanum confers broad spectrum resistance to potato late blight. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 100: 9128-9133.

Bradeen, J, Staub, J., Wye, C., Antonise, R. & Peleman, J. (2001). Towards an expanded and integrated linkage map of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Genome 44: 111-119.

Millett, B. P., and J. M. Bradeen, 2007 Development of allele-specific PCR and RT-PCR assays for clustered resistance genes using a potato late blight resistance transgene as a model. Theor appl genet 114: 501-513.