Tasks

1. Microscopic characterization of the incompatible and compatible coffee-rust interactions

This task aims to establish and characterize incompatible (resistance) and compatible (susceptibility) interactions and to ensure adequate biological material for transcriptomic and gene expression studies (activities 2 and 3).

2. Transcriptomic analysis of coffee-rust compatible and incompatible interactions

This task aims to perform NGS RNA-Seq analysis of coffee leaves inoculated with two different rust races, establishing a compatible and an incompatible interaction (activity 1), in order to identify and rank coffee candidate genes/sequences involved in rust resistance.

3. Evaluation of differential gene expression throughout the resistance response to Hv by qPCR

In this task, and after RNA-Seq analysis (task 2), several differentially expressed genes related to H. vastatrix resistance will select based on the pattern of gene expression and functional annotation.

4. Functional characterization of rust resistance-related genes in coffee

From the best candidate genes, showing differential resistance-specific expression patterns (task 3), up to 6 will be selected to elucidate their functional role.

5. Validation of candidate genes as biomarkers for coffee resistance

After the identification of coffee resistance-related genes in tasks 2 and 3, a sub-group will be selected, including those functionally validated in task 4, for testing in other coffee genotypes (with large spectra of resistance to H. vastatrix) to assess their usefulness as biomarkers.