** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT WILL DETAIL HOW THE PLANT PATHOGEN AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS INTERACTS WITH PLANT TISSUES TO CAUSE DISEASE AND GENETICALLY TRANSFORM (GENETICALLY ENGINEER) THE PLANT HOST. THIS WILL NOT ONLY ENABLE PREVENTION OF CROWN GALL DISEASE, BUT ALSO ALLOW THE USE OF THIS BACTERIUM TO GENETICALLY MANIPULATE PLANTS TO IMPROVE CROP PRODUCTION AND PEST RESISTANCE. THIS PROJECT FOCUSES ON A CENTRAL GENETIC PATHWAY IN THE BACTERIUM WHICH IS KNOWN TO CONTROL SEVERAL IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE ORGANISM'S LIFE CYCLE. THE FIRST RESEARCH OBJECTIVE WILL DETERMINE THE MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF THE PATHWAY--HOW THIS PATHWAY FUNCTIONS. THE SECOND RESEARCH OBJECTIVE WILL CATALOGUE THE FULL SET OF GENES REGULATED BY THE PATHWAY--WHAT THE PATHWAY CONTROLS. THE THIRD RESEARCH OBJECTIVE WILL QUANTIFY THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS PATHWAY TO INFECTION, DISEASE, AND PLANT CELL GENETIC MODIFICATION IN A NATURAL ECOLOGICAL SETTING--WHEN THE PATHWAY IS ACTIVE AND IMPORTANT FOR PATHOGENESIS.THE ULTIMATE GOALS OFTHE PROJECT INCLUDE INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF THE AGRICULTURAL PATHOGEN AND HOW IT CAUSES DISEASE, AND INSIGHT INTO HOW TO PREVENT OR MANIPULATE SUCH INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE BACTERIUM AND POSSIBLE PLANT TARGETS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT ARE TWO EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, SPECIFICALLY AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY IN GLASSBORO AND AFFILIATED COMMUNITY COLLEGES. STUDENTS RECEIVING TRAINING THROUGH THIS PROJECT WILL BE A BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND MAY GO ON TO FUTURE CAREERS IN STEM FIELDS.