Nevin D Young

My colleagues and I are interested in the genes that enable plants and microbes to communicate at a molecular level. We are especially interested in legumes (soybeans, peas, alfalfa, etc) and their relationship with rhizobial bacteria, the basis of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Using the tools of genomics, we focus on two important legume models, soybean and Medicago truncatula, to understand legume-bacterial co-evolution that has taken place over millions of years. Often, the genes controlling symbiosis are also responsible for defense against pathogens. Understanding the genomics of symbiosis and disease resistance provides essential insights into sustainable strategies for managing and exploiting plant-microbe associations in agriculture.