Molecular mechanisms of resistance
We study the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underpin resistance to pests and pathogens in crop species. This will provide important, fundamental knowledge needed to design durable and sustainable resistance strategies for future crop systems.
Understanding resistance genes and their function
A central line of our work is the discovery and characterisation of natural resistance genes across diverse crop species and their wild relatives. Using genetic and genomics approaches, we discover novel natural resistance genes, and investigate how these genes are activated during pathogen or insect attack. This includes both qualitative resistance governed by major genes and more complex, quantitative resistance traits involving multiple genomic regions.
Molecular interactions between plants and their attackers
We study the molecular interaction between plants and the organisms that challenge them. By dissecting plant–pathogen and plant–insect interactions, we examine how resistance genes recognise invaders, how defence pathways are triggered, and how pests or pathogens attempt to overcome plant defences. This research spans host and non-host systems, allowing us to explore why certain plant species exhibit complete, inherent immunity to specific pathogens.
Exploiting natural genetic variation
Wild crop relatives and germplasm collections provide rich sources of natural variation. We investigate this diversity to reveal novel resistance alleles and mechanisms, applying molecular genetics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to understand how different plant genotypes respond to biotic stress. These insights help us unravel the evolutionary basis of resistance and identify genetic variants with functional significance.
Tools and methods
Our group applies advanced molecular tools and genetic analysis methods, including:
- comparative genomics
- computational approaches
- genomics
- molecular characterisation
- QTL mapping
Fundamental knowledge for future solutions
Although this research has clear relevance for future breeding strategies, its primary focus is fundamental: to deepen scientific understanding of plant immunity, resistance evolution and the genetic architecture of complex defence traits. The collected knowledge constitutes a robust scientific base that can be translated into applied breeding strategies, but remains valuable on its own for understanding plant immunity, evolutionary genetics (e.g. host vs non-host resistance), and functional biodiversity.