I have always wanted to see more nematodes sequenced and I was happy when my friend Dr. Sapinder Bali announced on twitter that her group got one more nematode sequenced. This is an open access publication that anyone can read. You can find it here: https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/MPMI-12-20-0337-A

Meloidogyne spp. are differentiated from each other based on the ring patterns around their anus (left pic: M. chitwoodi from Dr. Axel Elling). They are like their species fingerprint (baseprint?) and it requires tremendous skill to prepare a slide of this print from these microscopic nematodes. With more genomic data available for different nematodes, we could increase the reliability of quicker molecular methods of identification.

Soybean cyst nematodes have dorsal and subventral glands that secrete proteins that are then delivered to the plant through their special syringe like mouths called stylets. This delivery of these special secreted proteins interacts with plants and help setup the disease. Plants then evolve resistance to these secreted proteins if they want to survive. Then the nematodes evolve more special genes to counteract that and the arms race goes on. 

This study asked what are the special genes some groups of soybean cyst nematodes have that make them virulent (reproduce successfully) compared to others of the same genus and species? If we knew what special arsenal some of these virulent nematodes have, we might be able to help the plants resist those new tools and resist the nematodes. This is an effort towards that goal. Guess what, many dorsal gland mischief proteins found!!!

Read the entire paper here: https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PHYTO-08-20-0348-FI 

A good quality genome assembly is the start for good quality genetics. A chromosomal assembly of the SCN genome would help us understand these nematodes in both physiological and evolutionary contexts of life. This study uses the latest high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies such as Hi-C and Illumina to put together long and good quality sequences. Read the entire thing here: https://www.authorea.com/users/238645/articles/512958-a-chromosomal-assembly-of-the-soybean-cyst-nematode-genome 

We have been studying plant-nematode interactions for quite sometime and we have come a long way. A good summary of all that we know about these interactions would be a great launch-pad for new and experienced researchers, for inspiration and direction. I really enjoyed reading this review. As much as things are different with different systems, they are also very similar. 

If you are interested, you should also give it a read!

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369526621000352?dgcid=author 

Sedentary nematodes of the Tylenchida order such as cyst and root knot nematodes need to establish intimate relationships with their host. They can be classified as pathogens rather than as parasites, as they manipulate the host immunity from harming them, and setting up permanent feeding structures in the host. To set up permanent feeding structures, these nematodes use some secretions called effectors or effector proteins. These effectors originate from the special set of a pair of sub-ventral glands and a dorsal gland that are attached downstream of their stylets. This methods manuscript on isolating these glands is important because it would help us study these effectors without interference from other types of nematode cells.

https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/MPMI-05-12-0121-FI