Baoye He

Areas of Expertise

• Extracellular vesicles
• Plant-microbe interaction
• RNA trafficking

Professional Summary

Our lab explores the fascinating world of plant-microbe interactions, focusing on how
extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate communication between plants and fungal
pathogens. We use a combination of genetics, biochemistry, live imaging, cell biology,
and genome editing to uncover the roles of EVs in these interactions. Our research,
primarily using Arabidopsis and the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea as model systems,
aims to reveal how EVs influence plant defense and pathogen strategies.
We also extend our studies about EVs to key crops like cotton and maize, with the goal
of developing innovative methods for controlling fungal diseases.
Our research projects include:
1. Investigating how EVs facilitate the transfer of RNA molecules from fungal
pathogens to plant hosts.
2. Exploring the mechanisms by which plant and fungal cells recognize EVs and
release their cargo.
3. Determining the specific types of cargo carried by EVs in host plants and
pathogens under different infection scenarios.
4. Understanding the potential applications of EVs for protecting crops from
diseases and pests.