Projects

- Legume microbiome recruitment dependence on effectiveness of nitrogen fixation. For more information check this paper.

- Circadian regulation of legume nodulation and relevance of NCRs. For more information check this paper.Link opens in a new window

- Root adaptations to environmental stimuli. For more information check this paperLink opens in a new window, this paperLink opens in a new window or this paperLink opens in a new window.

- Unravelling microbial responses in plant roots. For more information check this paperLink opens in a new window, this paperLink opens in a new window and this paperLink opens in a new window.

Join our team

We are an inclusive, family-friendly, enthusiastic bunch.

Check the opportunities to join our team hereLink opens in a new window.

News

READ First publication from BBSRC 'Nfix in time' grant with Prof. Isabelle Carré (coI Warwick) and Postdoc Dr. Beatriz Lagunas is now published in the Journal for Experimental Botany: read it hereLink opens in a new window !

WATCH our JOVE cell sortingLink opens in a new window video!

Nodulation

Coordination in space and time. Unlike most plants, legumes (such as peas and beans) are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen (nodulation), so break the agricultural dependency on expensive and environmentally costly nitrogen fertilisers. If we understand the molecular regulation of nodulation, this could substantially improve food security, a major priority for UK research councils (UKRI). We are pursuing his by investigating the control over nodulation imparted by the plant's clock (time) and the control that nodulation has over the microbiome in the endosphere and rhizosphere (space).

Cell Type

We use Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) combined with genomics to measure the gene expression of all regulatory pathways and interpret them in the context of root phenotypes. This is critical since nodules develop from a specific root cell type and root environmental responses have a high degree of cell specificity. We also want to investigate how rhizobial responses (nodulation) intersect with responses to other mutualists in the rhizosphere to improve plant productivity.

Synthetic Biology

Application of cell type analysis can help distinguish genes that act in specific locations and under specific conditions. We can use this to predict which promoters and genes could be engineered to enable new functions, including altered plant disease responses and altered mutualistic responses.