Comparative genomics of Pseudomonas syringae isolated from Prunus sp. and other hosts. Pseudomonas

The bacterial phytopathogen P. syringae infects a diverse range of plant species. This project used comparative genomic analysis to explore the genetic basis of host specificity and host jump events in P. syringae, focusing on strains that infect Prunus sp. i.e. cherry and plum. A range of Prunus strains and closely related out-groups, isolated from other plant species, were genome sequenced. The genomes were analysed to determine effector repertoires common to Prunus strains, and look for differences important in host specificity.