Genomics tools are used for studies of the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and, particularly, G. pallida. A genome sequencing project for G. pallida is currently in porgress and is scheduled to be complete by 2011.  We collaborate with Dr P. Urwin (Leeds University), Dr M. Berriman (Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute) and Dr B. Kerry (Rothamsted Research) in leading this project.  Details of the project can be found on the Sanger website.

A major focus of the group is understanding the function of nematode effectors in plants.  We are currently investigating how G. pallida effectors manipulate the host to form the feeding site and how they suppress host defences.  We have recently been awarded a joint grant with Leeds University to develop this area.

We use a range of techniques including RNAi to understand the functional roles of important nematode proteins in the host-parasite interaction.  Cell biology tools are also increasingly important for our work.  For example, we have recently shown that some members of a large nematode effector gene family are localised to the nucleus in the plant.

The biological targets of our genomics work are a better understanding of the susceptible response and of nematode avirulence proteins recognised by plant R genes.

• Horizontal gene transfer
• Response to nematodes