Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is an emerging disease of soybeans that is causing millions of dollars of loss annually. Previously, we have cloned a gene of a pathogen that encoded a peptide (FvTox1) that is toxic to soybean leaves of SDS susceptible cultivars.

We also have developed a synthetic plant antibody from a mammalian cell line that will increase the tolerance of soybean leaves to FvTox1 in transgenic soybean plants. These studies indicate that plant antibody technologies may have application in developing FvTox1-insesitive soybean germplasm.

The intent of the current project is to locate a plant antibody that can replace the gene cloned from mammalian cell line.