In a world where fungal pathogens wreak havoc on global food production, understanding their arsenal is of paramount importance. Enter the mysterious realm of Magnaporthe oryzae, a notorious fungal attacker, with Dr. Krasileva, our esteemed guest for today's episode.

Dive deep as we navigate the vast universe of the fungal pathogen's secreted proteins. Dr. Krasileva unravels her team's ambitious efforts to predict the structures of a whopping 1,854 proteins. Harnessing the power of machine learning and the revolutionary TrRosetta, they're able to map out the intricate designs of these proteins, laying bare potential effectors and virulence factors.

But this journey isn't just about numbers and predictions. As Dr. Krasileva artfully illustrates, structure-based clustering reveals hidden secrets about these proteins, uncovering relationships and parallels that go beyond mere sequences. Through her narrative, we uncover intriguing evolutionary tales, such as the fascinating evolution of ADP-ribose transferases.

Beyond the impressive science, there's a vital underlying message: the importance of computational structural genomics in the fight against phytopathogens. With pathogens constantly evolving and posing new threats, having a deep understanding of their molecular machinery is crucial for developing effective counter-strategies.

Whether you're a seasoned researcher, an aspiring biologist, or simply someone fascinated by the complex interplay of pathogens and their hosts, this episode with Dr. Krasileva promises a captivating journey. Uncover the hidden stories within Magnaporthe oryzae and explore how cutting-edge computational techniques are changing the game in the battle against fungal foes.

https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-03-21-0071-R