Over the past three decades, significant progress has been made in the field of resistance (R) gene cloning. Advances in recombinant DNA technology, genome sequencing, bioinformatics, plant transformation and plant husbandry have facilitated the transition from cloning R genes in model species to crop plants and their wild relatives. To date, researchers have isolated more than 450 R genes that play important roles in plant immunity. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which intracellular immune receptors are activated and initiate defense responses are now well understood. These advances present exciting opportunities for engineering disease-resistant crop plants that are protected by genetics rather than pesticides.

过去三十年来，抗性（ R ）基因克隆领域取得了重大进展。重组DNA技术、基因组测序、生物信息学、植物转化和植物饲养的进步促进了从模式物种中克隆R基因到农作物及其野生近缘种的转变。迄今为止，研究人员已分离出450多个 在植物免疫中发挥重要作用的R基因。细胞内免疫受体被激活并启动防御反应的分子和生化机制现在已被充分了解。这些进步为工程抗病作物提供了令人兴奋的机会，这些作物受到遗传而不是农药的保护。