A Ph.D. student position is available in the group of Dr. Zhengqing Fuat the University of South Carolina, Columbia. The area is molecular plant-pathogen interactions with a focus on salicylic acid signaling. Previous work identified the first mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase called HopU1 in plants or plant pathogens (Fu et al., 2007. Nature 447: 284). HopU1, as a type III effector from the plant bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, targets RNA-binding proteins to suppress plant defense. It was reported that NPR3 and NPR4 function as the salicylic acid receptors in plants (Fu et al., 2012. Nature 486: 228). The research projects focus on two topics: how plants activate salicylic acid-mediated immunity against pathogen infection (Chen et al., 2021, Science Advances 7: eabl7173, Chang et al., 2019. Molecular Plant 12: 678 and Chen et al, 2019. Plant Physiology DOI:10.1104/pp.19.00124) and how plant pathogens modify salicylic acid pathway to cause diseases (Qi et al., 2018. Molecular Plant 11: 1427). Recently, we discovered that salicylic acid promotes the interaction between NPR1 and the P. syringae type III effector AvrPtoB. AvrPtoB mediates the degradation of NPR1 via the 26S proteasome dependent on its E3 ligase activity to subvert plant immunity (Chen et al., 2017. Cell Host & Microbe 22: 777). We are seeking to recruit a creative and motivated person to fill this position. The incumbent is expected to develop innovative approaches to address fundamental questions in salicylic acid signaling and/or molecular plant-pathogen interactions. We are part of an interactive plant group of internationally recognized faculty. Columbia is located in the Midlands of South Carolina only two to three hours away from the Appalachian Mountains and the beautiful Atlantic coastline.Qualifications（资格）:We are looking for a highly motivated and creative individual with strong background in molecular biology and proficiency in spoken and written English to fill this position.How to apply（如何申请）:Please apply for graduate admission to the Department of Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina graduate school website at： https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/graduate_school/apply/index.php. The deadline is Dec. 1st, 2024（截止日期！）. Inquiry letter should be sent to Dr. Zhenqing Fu at zfu@mailbox.sc.edu.（简历发送邮箱）阅读相关：Mol Plant | 王道文/傅正擎团队合作在植物生长与抗病免疫协同调控机制研究取得新进展Trends in Plant Science | 刘凤权/傅正擎综述植物抗病蛋白TIR结构域的NAD+切割活性及其激活抗病蛋白信号通路的分子机制！Trends Plant Sci | 王旭/傅正擎领衔撰写一种双功能热稳定肽防治柑橘黄龙病的观点综述文章刘凤权/傅正擎综述水杨酸介导植物免疫转录和表观遗传调控扬州大学植物保护学院在国际著名期刊（IF=12.82）发表最新成果，综述植物免疫诱抗剂在植物病害可持续防控中的应用及展望江苏省农科院植保所在国际知名学术期刊（IF=17.079）上发表综述文章江苏省农科院植保所在国际知名学术期刊（IF=14.264）发表综述文章
