In a breakthrough for global food security, researchers led by Professor Liu Zhiyong from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have uncovered how wheat fights off devastating fungal infections. Their study, published in Science, reveals a “dynamic duo” of proteins—WTK3 and WTN1—that act like a plant immune system’s alarm and defender. 🌾🔬
Wheat is under constant threat from fungi like powdery mildew and wheat blast, which can wipe out crops and disrupt food supplies. The team found that the tandem kinase protein WTK3 teams up with the NLR protein WTN1 to detect and neutralize invading pathogens. Think of it as nature’s own security team: WTK3 spots the danger (pathogen effectors), and WTN1 triggers the counterattack. 🛡️⚔️
What makes this discovery a game-changer? It solves a long-standing puzzle about how plants activate disease resistance and opens doors for engineering crops with built-in “super immunity.” Already, the team has used similar proteins to breed wheat resistant to multiple diseases—a win for farmers battling climate-driven pest surges. 🌍🌱
Dr. Liu’s group collaborated with labs across the Chinese mainland, combining genetic sleuthing and real-world testing. Their work could slash reliance on chemical pesticides and help feed a growing global population. As one researcher put it: “This is plant science meets real-world impact.” ✨🌾
