EZ::TNTM TransposomesTM: A Novel System for Identifying Genes Involved in Bacterial Pathogenesis

Pierce’s disease (PD), a lethal disease of grapevine, is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, a Gram-negative, xylem-limited bacterium, transmitted from plant to plant by xylem feeding insects.1 Strains of X. fastidiosa have also been associated with diseases that cause tremendous losses in many other economically important plants including citrus.2 Although the complete genome sequence of X. fastidiosa has recently been determined, the inability to genetically manipulate X. fastidiosa has been a major impediment to understanding pathogen, plant and insect vector interactions.