Dodder Wrapped around Host (IMAGE)

Penn State

Dodder Wrapped around Host

Caption

Dodder, a parasitic plant that steals nutrients from its host plants, also sends genetic material into the host to shut down host genes. According to a new study, the parasite targets host genes that are evolutionarily conserved and sends over multiple versions of its genetic weaponry to ensure effectiveness across a variety of host species.

Credit

Nathan Johnson, Penn State

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