KAUST researchers have discovered the first molecular events that trigger wheat's immunity to stem rust, a devastating fungal disease. The study, published in Science, identifies that tandem kinases are bound together and inactive until a pathogen binds, initiating an immune response that kills the infected cell. This prevents the pathogen from spreading and causing widespread crop damage. Why it matters: Understanding these molecular mechanisms could lead to engineering wheat with stronger and more durable resistance to stem rust and other diseases, safeguarding a crucial food source in the face of climate change and emerging pathogens.
KAUST researchers have developed a genomic resource for Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), a wild relative of wheat, by creating 46 high-quality genome assemblies. They compiled 493 genetically distinct accessions from an initial 900, collaborating with the Open Wild Wheat Consortium to select accessions with traits of interest, such as disease resistance and stress tolerance. Screening these assemblies helped identify rust resistance genes, including mapping a stem rust resistance gene to the Sr33 locus. Why it matters: This genomic resource will accelerate gene discovery in wheat, potentially improving modern wheat varieties and enhancing global food security.
KAUST researchers are studying the chemical signals in pearl millet that trigger the germination of Striga seeds, a parasitic plant. The research aims to understand the biological compounds involved in Striga infestation. The goal is to induce Striga germination without host plants, reducing Striga seed banks in infested soils. Why it matters: Addressing Striga infestation can improve crop yields and food security, especially in regions relying on pearl millet.
KAUST researchers have identified a gene, CLAMT1b, in pearl millet that affects its vulnerability to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica. Pearl millet strains lacking CLAMT1b were found to be resistant to the weed, while those expressing the gene were susceptible. The gene's presence leads to the secretion of strigolactones, promoting interaction with Striga, but its absence does not harm symbiotic relationships with beneficial fungi. Why it matters: This discovery offers new breeding strategies to enhance pearl millet's resistance to parasitic weeds, bolstering food security in arid regions like Saudi Arabia and Africa where the crop is vital.
KAUST has received a $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation to research methods for eradicating the Striga hermonthica weed, also known as "witchweed". This parasitic plant devastates crops in sub-Saharan Africa by depleting water and nutrients, with the project led by Dr. Salim Al-Babili focusing on pearl millet. The research will involve collaboration with universities in Burkina Faso, Japan, and the Netherlands to identify biological compounds and low-cost methods for Striga control. Why it matters: Addressing Striga infestations is crucial for enhancing food security and supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers in Africa and the Middle East who rely on crops like pearl millet.
This paper proposes a machine learning method for early detection and classification of date fruit diseases, which are economically important to countries like Saudi Arabia. The method uses a hybrid feature extraction approach combining L*a*b color features, statistical features, and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) texture features. Experiments using a dataset of 871 images achieved the highest average accuracy using Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Fuzzy Decision Trees (FDT) classifiers.
KAUST Professor Salim Al-Babili is working to improve crop performance and nutritional value, with a focus on pearl millet. He received a $5 million grant from the Gates Foundation in 2018 to combat the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica, which causes billions in losses annually in Sub-Saharan Africa. His team is developing hormone-based strategies to protect pearl millet from Striga infestation, a project spanning lab research to field trials in Saudi Arabia and Africa. Why it matters: This research addresses critical food security challenges in both Africa and the Middle East by developing practical tools for smallholder farmers, bridging the gap between lab discoveries and real-world applications.
Researchers from KAUST, King Abdulaziz University, and King Abdulaziz University Hospital conducted a study comparing stem cells from Saudi Klinefelter patients with those from North American and European descent. Klinefelter syndrome affects approximately one in 600 Saudi males, but the MENA population is underrepresented in genomic studies of the disease. The study found a subset of genes on the X chromosome whose dysregulation characterizes Klinefelter syndrome, regardless of geographic origin or ethnicity. Why it matters: This research addresses a gap in understanding the molecular basis of Klinefelter syndrome in the MENA population and provides a platform for further studies of chromosomal diseases.