Dr. Scott Gold is a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-ARS Toxicology & Mycotoxin Research Unit in Athens, Georgia. Research within the Gold laboratory focuses on the manipulation of a three organism interaction with the aim of reducing fumonisin mycotoxin levels in corn.  These organisms are a bacterium, Bacillus mojavensis, a fungus, Fusarium verticillioides and a plant, corn.  Fumonisin consumption has major negative health consequences in animals and is suspected of causing problems in humans.  Our overall goal is to characterize and enhance the efficacy of B. mojavensis in reducing F. verticillioides colonization of corn with the consequent reduction of fumonisn contamination.  Our work principally involves genetic analysis of the components of this interaction.

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