The Columbia root-knot nematode is a nematode found in potato growing regions of Northwestern US. It is a nematode that can infect both potato roots and tubers. In the case of tuber infections, it causes small pimple-like blemishes on the skin, giving the potato cultivars that are resistant to CRKNs. In addition, frontline nematicides are expensive and potentially harmful to human helath and the envrionment. The Gleason lab is undertaking several different lines of research to develop novel tools to combat these nematodes.