Project assistance completion report : cloned DNA to study molecular biology, host vector relation, control of maize Rayado Fino virus

The project was implemented by the University of Costa Rica (UCR). The project accomplished its main targets and, in some cases, surpassed expected goals. Notably, the project identified the coat protein gene, as well as maize germplasm lines exhibiting tolerance/resistance to the virus; it also examined the geographic distribution of MRFV and strain diversity (information valuable to determining factors which influence the epidemiology of the disease). The nucleotide sequence of the geographically diverse isolates is useful in order to design better constructions for engineering MRFV-resistant maize. In addition, the project improved the infrastructure of the UCR by building a modern greenhouse, and purchasing a freezer, cold chamber, water bath, and orbital shaker. Several graduate students received their MSc. degrees while being trained and supported from this grant. The following lessons were learned. (1) The project has allowed the introduction of new technology into UCR's biology research department by training UCR scientists in a U.S. laboratory. Planning and performing experiments by both Costa Rican and U.S. laboratories working as a team has yielded many interesting and useful results. Many molecular techniques that are essential to a plant pathologist, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nuclear hybridization, cDNA cloning, and nucleic acid sequencing, have been acquired by the UCR scientists through this collaboration, which will enhance their ability to diagnose plant diseases rapidly and reliably and to creatively develop means for disease control.