Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have developed a novel rapid gene-screening platform which can identify new avirulence (Avr) effector genes in plant pathogens. Effector genes in plant pathogens, like rust fungus, encode proteins that suppress plant immune responses. However, if the plant recognises these pathogen proteins, they can activate plant defence mechanisms and stop widespread infection. It is expected that the new screening technology, which allows researchers to study the processes that give plants resistance to disease, will aid the future development of disease-resistant crops.