Dallice I. Mills

Professor,
Ph.D., 1969, Michigan State University, East Lansing
millsd@science.oregonstate.edu

Faculty of Center for Gene Research and Biotechnology

Research Area

Molecular genetics of plant-microbe interactions and pathogen detection

Description of Research

A major focus of the research in my laboratory is directed towards understanding the biology of the interaction between small grain cereal host species, primarily barley and wheat, and smut and bunt pathogens. Germane to these processes are genes that function in dimorphic switching from a yeast-like, budding form of the fungus, to the filamentous, pathogenic form. We have cloned one of the genes involved in switching from Ustilago hordei and demonstrated that it encodes an alpha subunit of a heterotrimeric G protein. Its role in a cyclic AMP-mediated signal transduction pathway which functions to control dimorphic switching and pathogenicity is under investigation. To assist the potato industry in the identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the causal agent of bacterial ring rot disease of potato, we have developed a PCR ELISA-based detection assay that is based on the amplification of multiple sites in the genome of this pathogen. Research is underway to evaluate the system in field and clinic environments.

Recent Publications

Banowetz, G.M., Azevedo, M. D., Armstrong, D. J., and Mills, D. I., 2009.   Germination-arrest factor (GAF):  2.  Physical and chemical properties of a novel, naturally-occurring herbicide produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain WH6.  Biological Control 50: 103-110.

Armstrong, D., Azevedo, M., Mills, D., Bailey, B., Russell, B., Groenig, A., Halgren, A., Banowetz, G., and McPhail, K., 2009.    Germination-arrest factor (GAF): 3.  Determination that the herbicidal activity of GAF is associated with a ninhydrin-reactive compound and counter-acted by selected amino acids.  Biological Control 51: 181-190.

Banowetz, G. M., Azevedo, M. D., Armstrong, D. J., Halgren, A. H., and Mills, D. M., 2008.  Germination-Arrest Factor (GAF):  Biological properties of a novel, naturally-occurring herbicide produced by selected isolates of rhizosphere bacteria.  Biological Control 46:  380-390.