Virology Team
Virology research at SCRI
Research on plant viruses has been conducted at SCRI since its establishment in 1951 (when it was known as SHRI) with SCRI scientists making major contributions to the understanding of many fundamental and applied aspects of plant virology. We have maintained our interests in viruses that infect potatoes and soft fruit crops, both of which are extremely important to the local agricultural economy and internationally.
We have links with the potato and soft fruit genetics and breeding groups at SCRI to investigate naturally occurring sources of resistance to some of these viruses. In addition, together with colleagues in the cell biology group, we are engaged in highly fundamental studies of the molecular interactions between viruses and the host plant, in the use of viruses for plant biotechnology, and in the impact of viruses on the environment.
The Virology group collectively have many years experience in a wide variety of plant virology topics and have built up extensive collaborations with other UK and international scientists. The research facilities available at SCRI enable us to pursue projects from the initial stages of detection, purification and characterisation of new viruses through to the molecular study of plant–virus interaction at the cellular level and the implementation of biotechnological approaches for virus control.
Find out more about our research projects below:
- resistance
- plant–virus interactions
- virus characterisation and ecology
- virus–vector interactions
- biotechnology using viruses
- diagnostics.
Resistance
Many plants possess specific resistance genes directed against particular viruses. We are investigating natural resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY), by looking at variation in eIF4E genes from Solanum tuberosum as well as screening the diploid species S. phureja for novel resistances. The Bu gene from raspberry is an important source of resistance to Raspberry bushy dwarf virus and we are working with colleagues from the raspberry genetics group to look at this and other sources of virus resistance. We are also examining whether resistance to multiple potato viruses can be introduced simultaneously into the potato genome using genetic modification.
Plant–virus interactions
Viruses co-opt the normal processes of host metabolism to promote virus multiplication and spread. We are using a wide variety of techniques to study virus–host interactions at the cellular level. Our areas of research include: nucleolar trafficking and virus systemic movement; nuclear ALY proteins and suppression of RNA silencing; interaction between Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) and the endomembrane system; and analysis of innate virus resistance pathways, including an inhibitor of virus replication and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
Virus characterisation and ecology
The advent of climate change coupled with the diversification of agriculture and increased interest in biodiversity has meant that new viruses and virus diseases are emerging. We are using classical virology techniques allied to modern molecular biology to identify and characterise these new viruses. Emphasis is being given to the investigation of new viruses in soft fruit crops, particularly raspberry. We have also examined recombination among viruses as a mechanism of evolution and with regard to risk assessment associated with GM crops. A new area of work is the study of viruses from soil, analysing their abundance in different soil types and their effects on soil microbial communities.
Virus–vector interactions
Viruses are often transmitted between plants in the field by a specific vector organism and understanding the transmission process may make it possible to develop strategies to prevent virus spread. We are studying the transmission of PVY and Potato leafroll virus by aphids, focussing on the molecular components of both the insects and viruses that are involved in this process. We are also investigating the transmission in the soil of PMTV by its fungal vector, Spongospora subterranea.
Biotechnology using viruses
Plant viruses have been adapted for use as gene expression platforms, RNA silencing tools and molecular reporters for cell biology studies. Many areas of work at SCRI utilise plant viruses as biotechnological tools and we are initiating new projects on veterinary and medical vaccine production using plant virus vectors. Our research on plant caspases has led to the finding that the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-encoded VirD2 protein is a target for plant caspase fragmentation. This knowledge has allowed us to develop novel technology for improvement of Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer and delivery of virus vectors.
Diagnostics
Many different diagnostic tools have been developed by virologists at SCRI. These include polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, and recombinant antibodies for the recognition of both structural and non-structural virus proteins. Our recombinant antibodies have also been used for the development of biosensors. Virus-specific PCR and RT-PCR tests (including the use of Taq Man for quantitative detection) have also been devised for the detection of viral nucleic acids in infected plants or virus vectors.
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