Gitta Coaker
@gittacoaker.bsky.social
Professor at UC Davis, studying plant immunity and bacterial pathogens. Loves weightlifting, running, and the outdoors.
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
🧬 New preprint on fungal effector 🍄🍎
We identify AvrRvi6, the first AVR from Venturia inaequalis.
AvrRvi6 is a MAX effector with apoplastic activity, expanding the functional landscape of this major effector family.
📄 bioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We identify AvrRvi6, the first AVR from Venturia inaequalis.
AvrRvi6 is a MAX effector with apoplastic activity, expanding the functional landscape of this major effector family.
📄 bioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Ancient MAX Effector Variants of a Fungal Pathogen Evade Apoplastic Immunity in Apple
Venturia inaequalis is an Ascomycota fungus responsible for apple scab, the main disease in apple orchards. During infection, the pathogen colonizes the subcuticular space and secretes hundreds of eff...
www.biorxiv.org
January 5, 2026 at 9:22 AM
🧬 New preprint on fungal effector 🍄🍎
We identify AvrRvi6, the first AVR from Venturia inaequalis.
AvrRvi6 is a MAX effector with apoplastic activity, expanding the functional landscape of this major effector family.
📄 bioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We identify AvrRvi6, the first AVR from Venturia inaequalis.
AvrRvi6 is a MAX effector with apoplastic activity, expanding the functional landscape of this major effector family.
📄 bioRxiv: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Although it went online in 2025, here is our second paper of 2026! 🎉
Bravo to @jiaxuwu.bsky.social for leading this (possibly) controversial, but much-needed, analysis. Enjoy! Now out in the January 2026 issue of Trends in Genetics.
🔗 www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Bravo to @jiaxuwu.bsky.social for leading this (possibly) controversial, but much-needed, analysis. Enjoy! Now out in the January 2026 issue of Trends in Genetics.
🔗 www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Déjà vu in clubroot resistance: same genes, new names
Despite decades of clubroot research, only three resistance (R) genes have been validated.
However, many of the ‘new’ R genes are, in fact, identical to or allelic with these
three. In this forum arti...
www.cell.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Although it went online in 2025, here is our second paper of 2026! 🎉
Bravo to @jiaxuwu.bsky.social for leading this (possibly) controversial, but much-needed, analysis. Enjoy! Now out in the January 2026 issue of Trends in Genetics.
🔗 www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Bravo to @jiaxuwu.bsky.social for leading this (possibly) controversial, but much-needed, analysis. Enjoy! Now out in the January 2026 issue of Trends in Genetics.
🔗 www.cell.com/trends/genet...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
January 1, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Just making sure that 2025 is definitely over
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
New preprint on pop #genomics of #spittlebug—the main insect vector of Xylella, the bacterium that has ravaged olive groves in southern Italy 🇮🇹 🫒
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
We have a new preprint!
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
In this study, we use #genomic data to uncover population structure and adaptive potential in the meadow #spittlebug, the main European #vector of #Xylella fastidiosa.
Whole-Genome Population Genomics Reveals Lineage Structure and Adaptive Potential of Philaenus spumarius, the Principal Vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.12.693891v1
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
New preprint on pop #genomics of #spittlebug—the main insect vector of Xylella, the bacterium that has ravaged olive groves in southern Italy 🇮🇹 🫒
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Take-home: problematic insect vector may be less widespread than initially thought—important implications for disease control 💥
👇
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
🍄 RESEARCH 🍄
Tue1, a fungal effector belonging to the structurally conserved Tin2-fold effector family widespread among smut fungi, suppresses plant jasmonate signalling by targeting JAZ10, showing diversified modes of action in this family- Gul et al.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
#PlantScience 🧪
Tue1, a fungal effector belonging to the structurally conserved Tin2-fold effector family widespread among smut fungi, suppresses plant jasmonate signalling by targeting JAZ10, showing diversified modes of action in this family- Gul et al.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
#PlantScience 🧪
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
🍄 RESEARCH 🍄
Tue1, a fungal effector belonging to the structurally conserved Tin2-fold effector family widespread among smut fungi, suppresses plant jasmonate signalling by targeting JAZ10, showing diversified modes of action in this family- Gul et al.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
#PlantScience 🧪
Tue1, a fungal effector belonging to the structurally conserved Tin2-fold effector family widespread among smut fungi, suppresses plant jasmonate signalling by targeting JAZ10, showing diversified modes of action in this family- Gul et al.
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jxb/...
#PlantScience 🧪
Another exciting preprint! Two additional HMA-TKP sensors from wheat and barley, swapping HMAs can confer recognition specificity. Evo analyses supporting HMA-TKP has differentiated to recognize different effectors through HMA diversification. other links below. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Evolution of HMA-integrated tandem kinases accompanied by expansion of target pathogens
Tandem kinase proteins (TKPs) are an emerging family of plant intracellular immune receptors that offer potential for developing novel disease resistance. We cloned Rmo2 and Rwt7, genes for resistance...
www.biorxiv.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Another exciting preprint! Two additional HMA-TKP sensors from wheat and barley, swapping HMAs can confer recognition specificity. Evo analyses supporting HMA-TKP has differentiated to recognize different effectors through HMA diversification. other links below. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Bob was incredible. I spoke with him a week before he passed and all he wanted to talk about was his plans for teaching in the Spring. He was an amazing scientist and pushed for teaching excellence in the department at every meeting. He will be sorely missed. newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/in-m...
In memoriam: Robert Goldberg, 82, renowned plant biologist and revered UCLA educator
The pioneering genetic scientist, whose research transformed plant molecular biology and whose teaching enriched the lives of generations of UCLA students, died Nov. 21.
newsroom.ucla.edu
December 17, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Bob was incredible. I spoke with him a week before he passed and all he wanted to talk about was his plans for teaching in the Spring. He was an amazing scientist and pushed for teaching excellence in the department at every meeting. He will be sorely missed. newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/in-m...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Excited to share our #plantimmunity preprint on engineering cereal TKPs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A short thread below 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A short thread below 👇
Engineering plant tandem kinase immune receptors expands effector recognition profiles
Plant intracellular immune receptors are widely deployed in breeding to protect crops from disease. In addition to nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs), tandem kinase proteins (TKPs...
www.biorxiv.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Excited to share our #plantimmunity preprint on engineering cereal TKPs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A short thread below 👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A short thread below 👇
Tandem Kinases containing HMA domains can be engineered to sense additional effectors. Parallels with NLR HMA engineering and highlights the versatility of this interesting integrated domain. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Engineering plant tandem kinase immune receptors expands effector recognition profiles
Plant intracellular immune receptors are widely deployed in breeding to protect crops from disease. In addition to nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs), tandem kinase proteins (TKPs...
www.biorxiv.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Tandem Kinases containing HMA domains can be engineered to sense additional effectors. Parallels with NLR HMA engineering and highlights the versatility of this interesting integrated domain. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
NSF plans to streamline merit review to heal self-inflicted staffing wound www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists
Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities
www.science.org
December 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
NSF plans to streamline merit review to heal self-inflicted staffing wound www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
UC Davis research is at risk. The federal government - its top funder - is pulling and threatening key grants, putting life-changing innovations in medicine and tech in jeopardy. ucdav.is/3KZr1Ej #FromLabsToLives
December 15, 2025 at 11:02 PM
UC Davis research is at risk. The federal government - its top funder - is pulling and threatening key grants, putting life-changing innovations in medicine and tech in jeopardy. ucdav.is/3KZr1Ej #FromLabsToLives
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Two researchers at UC Davis have been awarded a VinFuture Prize in recognition of their work developing self-cloning crops, a breakthrough for sustainable agriculture.
Read more: ucdav.is/4oJ41Hx
Read more: ucdav.is/4oJ41Hx
December 8, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Two researchers at UC Davis have been awarded a VinFuture Prize in recognition of their work developing self-cloning crops, a breakthrough for sustainable agriculture.
Read more: ucdav.is/4oJ41Hx
Read more: ucdav.is/4oJ41Hx
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Plant Com Dec 2025 issue online 🎉Focus Issue on Peptides and Receptor-like Kinases🎉Cover story: A small peptide APP3-14 disrupts pathogen–insect mutualism by modulating plant MYC2-mediated olfactory defense. cell.com/plant-commun...
December 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Plant Com Dec 2025 issue online 🎉Focus Issue on Peptides and Receptor-like Kinases🎉Cover story: A small peptide APP3-14 disrupts pathogen–insect mutualism by modulating plant MYC2-mediated olfactory defense. cell.com/plant-commun...
Just because you can do a good job at something doesn’t mean you should agree to do it.
December 11, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Just because you can do a good job at something doesn’t mean you should agree to do it.
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
UF Biology is searching for an Asst Prof in Evolution, Ecology of Infectious Disease - spread the word! @ufresearch.bsky.social @ufgeog.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
University of Florida - Details - Assistant Professor in Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease
explore.jobs.ufl.edu
December 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
UF Biology is searching for an Asst Prof in Evolution, Ecology of Infectious Disease - spread the word! @ufresearch.bsky.social @ufgeog.bsky.social @sse-evolution.bsky.social
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/53...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Please RT‼️ #TenureTrack position @zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de one of the best #proteostasis research centres in the world. www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Tenure Track Professorship (W1 with Tenure Track to W3) in “Molecular Biology" (f/m/d) - Heidelberg job with Universität Heidelberg | 12850668
The Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH) and the Faculty of Biosciences invite applications for a Tenure Track Professors...
www.nature.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Please RT‼️ #TenureTrack position @zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de one of the best #proteostasis research centres in the world. www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
🚀 PhD opportunity!
Join us (@pierrebuscaill.bsky.social & @chofski.bsky.social) in Bristol 🌱✨ Design, test & model synthetic promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana, focusing on plant immunity. Apply now!
🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#PlantSci #SyntheticBiology #PhD #PlantBioDesign #BristolUni
Join us (@pierrebuscaill.bsky.social & @chofski.bsky.social) in Bristol 🌱✨ Design, test & model synthetic promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana, focusing on plant immunity. Apply now!
🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#PlantSci #SyntheticBiology #PhD #PlantBioDesign #BristolUni
SynProm: Fast, Modular Spatio-Temporal Transcriptional Reporters for Plants (Plant BioDesign Bristol project) at University of York on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - SynProm: Fast, Modular Spatio-Temporal Transcriptional Reporters for Plants (Plant BioDesign Bristol project) at University of York, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
🚀 PhD opportunity!
Join us (@pierrebuscaill.bsky.social & @chofski.bsky.social) in Bristol 🌱✨ Design, test & model synthetic promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana, focusing on plant immunity. Apply now!
🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#PlantSci #SyntheticBiology #PhD #PlantBioDesign #BristolUni
Join us (@pierrebuscaill.bsky.social & @chofski.bsky.social) in Bristol 🌱✨ Design, test & model synthetic promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana, focusing on plant immunity. Apply now!
🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
#PlantSci #SyntheticBiology #PhD #PlantBioDesign #BristolUni
Trump used his press briefing to unleash one of the most overtly racist rants ever delivered by an American president. Hate is a reflection of personal insecurity and weakness. Can he even find Somalia on a map? Of course this leads to safety concerns for Somalis. This reality show is exhausting.
December 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Trump used his press briefing to unleash one of the most overtly racist rants ever delivered by an American president. Hate is a reflection of personal insecurity and weakness. Can he even find Somalia on a map? Of course this leads to safety concerns for Somalis. This reality show is exhausting.
@charisramsing.bsky.social gave a great seminar on Clavibacter for UC Davis’ Plant Pathology Department today. New insights into tomato colonization and effector recognition. #MPMI
December 1, 2025 at 6:44 PM
@charisramsing.bsky.social gave a great seminar on Clavibacter for UC Davis’ Plant Pathology Department today. New insights into tomato colonization and effector recognition. #MPMI
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
"Leaf It to Science: Uncovering Plant Immune Systems Through Technological Advances Open Access"
Reflections on Career, #PlantScience and #PlantImmunity by Xinnian Dong
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Reflections on Career, #PlantScience and #PlantImmunity by Xinnian Dong
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
November 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"Leaf It to Science: Uncovering Plant Immune Systems Through Technological Advances Open Access"
Reflections on Career, #PlantScience and #PlantImmunity by Xinnian Dong
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Reflections on Career, #PlantScience and #PlantImmunity by Xinnian Dong
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
And next up we have @yichangsung.bsky.social from @gittacoaker.bsky.social lab talking about tandem kinases … #strompath25
November 26, 2025 at 10:55 PM
And next up we have @yichangsung.bsky.social from @gittacoaker.bsky.social lab talking about tandem kinases … #strompath25
Reposted by Gitta Coaker
CRISPR-Cas–mediated heritable chromosome fusions in Arabidopsis | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Very nice work from Holger Puchta & colleagues
Very nice work from Holger Puchta & colleagues
CRISPR-Cas–mediated heritable chromosome fusions in Arabidopsis
The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana consists of 10 chromosomes. By inducing CRISPR-Cas–mediated breaks at subcentromeric and subtelomeric sequences, we fused entire chromosome arms, obtaining two eight...
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
CRISPR-Cas–mediated heritable chromosome fusions in Arabidopsis | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Very nice work from Holger Puchta & colleagues
Very nice work from Holger Puchta & colleagues