Whole genome sequencing approaches to understand Magnaporthe-rice interactions

Due to the recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies, whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based approaches are now accelerating the pace of our research toward a better understanding of host-pathogen interactions. Using WGS-based methods, we have isolated three avirulence (AVR) genes: AVR-Pia, AVR-Pii and AVR-Pik from Magnaporthe oryzae and two cognate rice resistance (R-) genes: Pia and Pii. We briefly review our current understanding of the interactions between AVR-Pia and Pia, AVR-Pik and Pik, and AVR-Pii and Pii.