Patricia Okubara
Research Geneticist (Plants),
USDA-ARS/ Adjunct Professor
Research Specialty and Interests
Dr. Patricia (Pat) Okubara is a plant molecular biologist with a keen interest in plant-microbe interactions. The focus of her research is to uncover and understand the action of plant genes that govern interactions with beneficial and pathogenic microbes. The goals of this research are to enhance the resistance of dryland crops, such as wheat, to fungal root pathogens, and to enhance the ability of crop plants to establish and maintain interactions with beneficial bacteria. Using a combination of genomics, genetic and biochemical approaches, Dr. Okubara is examining host genetic variation in colonization by pseudomonad biological control agents and tolerance to fungal root pathogens. Her laboratory is identifying and characterizing specific plant genes that are involved in root defense pathways.
Professional Experience
- 1997-2001 Postdoctoral Associate, USDA ARS, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, CA
- 1995-1997 Visiting Scientist, Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis
- 1992-1995 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis
Awars/Honors/Memberships
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- American Phytopathological Society
- International Society for Plant Molecular Biology
- International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Selected Publications
Okubara PA, Call DR, Kwak Y, Skinner DZ. (2010) Induction of defense gene homologues in wheat roots during interactions with Pseudomonas fluorescens. Biol. Cont 55: 118–125.
Okubara PA, Steber CM, DeMacon VL, Walter, NL, Paulitz TC, Kidwell, KK (2009) EMS-treated hexaploid wheat genotype Scarlet has enhanced tolerance to the soilborne necrotrophic pathogens Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 and R. oryzae. Theor. Appl. Genet. 119(2): 293-303.
Yan G, Smiley RW, Okubara PA, Skantar A, Easley SA, Sheedy JG, Thompson AL (2008) Detection and discrimination of Pratylenchus neglectus and P. thornei in DNA extracts from soil. Plant Disease 92(11): 1480-1487.
Okubara PA, Bonsall RF (2008) Accumulation of Pseudomonas-derived 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol on wheat seedling roots is influenced by host cultivar. Biol Cont 46(3): 322-331.
Okubara PA, Schroeder KL, Paulitz TC (2008) Identification and quantification of Rhizoctonia solani and R. oryzae using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Phytopathology, 98(7): 837-847.
Okubara PA, Li C, Schroeder KL, Schumacher RT, Lawrence NP (2007). Improved extraction of Rhizoctonia and Pythium DNA from wheat roots and soil samples using pressure cycling technology. Can J Plant Pathol 29: 304-310.
Paulitz TC, Okubara PA, Schillinger WF (2006) First report of damping-off of canola caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-1 in Washington State. Plant Dis. 90: 829.
Schroeder KL, Okubara PA, Tambong JT, Lévesque CA, Paulitz TC (2006) Identification and quantification of pathogenic Pythium spp. from soils in eastern Washington using real-time PCR. Phytopathology 96: 637-647.
Skinner DZ, Okubara PA, Baek K-H, Call DR (2005) Long oligonucleotide microarrays in wheat: evaluation of hybridization signal amplification and an oligonucleotide-design computer script. Func. Integ. Genomics 5: 70-79.
Okubara PA, Paulitz TC (2005) Root defense responses to fungal pathogens: a molecular perspective. Plant Soil 274(1): 215-226.
Johnson
Hall 333 (office) &
Vogel Plant BioScience 325(lab)
Tel.: (509)335-7824
Fax: (509)335-7674
E-mail: pokubara@wsu.edu
Heading using the h3 tag
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