The arms race between plants and pathogens

Presented by Prof Adrienne Hardham, Dr David Jones with staff and students
Plant Cell Biology Group

Research in the Plant Cell Biology Group investigates the cellular and molecular basis of plant development, with a particular focus on interactions between plants and fungal pathogens. Our research incorporates a fully integrated approach that takes advantage of the latest techniques in molecular genetics and genomics, proteomics, cell biology and microscopy. Our research aims to determine the molecular basis of the plant’s ability to recognise and repel invading pathogens, and to characterise pathogen infection strategies.

During the Winter School session, students will have a chance to see some of the experimental approaches we use in our studies of the plant resistance response and of mechanisms pathogens use to break though plant defences. You can try your hand at introducing fungal elicitors which plants recognize and use to induce rapid plant cell death as a way of isolating and starving the attacking fungi. You can also observe motile pathogen spores zeroing in on potential host plants and try immunofluorescence localisation of pathogen virulence factors.

Top of Page