The Cell Biology and Imaging (CBI) Unit is involved in a wide variety of research across all programmes at SCRI, but sits within the programme of Plant Pathology because staff links are greatest in this area. The unit has a wide variety of resources, and staff knowledge covers a broad range of standard and cutting-edge techniques that are utilised in many projects including both Scottish Government work packages and external grants. The wide experience of CBI staff is also regularly called upon to train other SCRI staff, students and visiting workers as part of collaborative projects.

The main staff are:

• Alison Roberts (senior post-doctoral researcher)
  Alison is a plant cell biologist with a background in plant virology and plant physiology. Her main interests include virus movement, plasmodesmata, the sink-source transition and the systemic transport of endogenous and pathogen-related molecules through the phloem.
• Kathryn Wright (senior post-doctoral researcher)
  A plant physiologist with a background in solute transport, phloem tracers, the hypersensitive response and plant virus movement, Kath is currently studying the cell-biological interactions that occur during infection of barley with Rhynchosporium secalis (Leaf Scald).
• Petra Boevink (senior post-doctoral researcher)
  Petra brings her background in plant virology, the plant secretory pathway and molecular biology to her current studies of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of potato late blight. Using fluorescent reporter proteins and confocal imaging, cell biological studies of both pathogen effector proteins and the plant response to pathogen attack are being undertaken.
• Sean Chapman (senior post-doctoral researcher)
  A plant virologist and molecular biologist, Sean has extensive knowledge and experience in creating and utilising plant virus vectors for use as heterologous expression systems. He has recently taken over the running of SCRI’s electron microscopy facility and is also involved in the production of novel fluorescent reporter proteins.
• Wendy Ridley (senior technician)
  Wendy provides technical assistance throughout the group, but with particular emphasis on electron microscopy including sample preparation, embedding, sectioning, routine staining, immuno-labelling and data archiving.

The following are some current areas of research.

• Investigation of the movement strategies of Potato Mop-Top Virus.
• Live cell imaging of fungal infection by Rhynchosporium secalis on barley leaves.
• The study of plant pathogen interactions involving Phytophthora infestans.
• Computer visualisation and modelling of plant root morphogenesis.

For further information, please contact Alison Roberts.