Countries around the world are facing a growing threat from transboundary animal diseases (TADs), including New World Screwworm, African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and Peste des Petits Ruminants, as well as other emerging zoonotic threats such as Andes hantavirus, Ebola, and Nipah. As diseases and pests move more rapidly across borders, countries are facing increasing pressure to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response systems.

Southern corn rust (SCR), caused by Puccinia polysora Underw. (P. polysora), poses a significant threat to maize production, yet the cell-type-specific defense mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized. To address this, we integrated single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomic sequencing (stRNA-seq) to elucidate the cell-type-specific transcriptional dynamics in maize leaves during early infection with P. polysora.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced today that it has officially extended deregulation to a genetically engineered corn variety developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.The corn variety, designated as DP51291, is modified to express insect resistance and tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. Because Pioneer had previously received approval for these identical genetic traits in an earlier corn variety (DP23211), the company was eligible to request an extension of that existing deregulation.