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Alpine plant spins its own flavonoid wool

2 July 2021

A little alpine plant has been found to eject cobweb-like threads from tiny holes in specialised cells on its leaves. The small perennial cushion-shaped plant with bright yellow flowers, Dionysia tapetodes , is in the primula family and naturally occurs in Turkmenistan and north-eastern Iran, and through the mountains of...

Researchers discover ancient protein domain

15 June 2021

New research led by the Crop Science Centre has discovered an ancient protein domain and a new symbiotic gene in the signalling pathways facilitating arbuscular mycorrhizal association. Published in PNAS on 15th June, the study characterises a symbiotic gene in rice called arbuscular receptor-like kinase 2 (ARK 2), as well...

Professor Ian Henderson awarded highly competitive Bayer grant

8 June 2021

Professor Ian Henderson , Head of the Department’s Genetic and Epigenetic Inheritance in Plants Research Group, has been awarded a highly competitive Bayer Crop Science grant. Awarded to researchers with unique ideas on helping farmers protect their crops, the Grants4Ag 2021 include both financial support and scientific...

Dr Nik Cunniffe receives APS Syngenta Award

7 June 2021

The American Phytopathological Society has honoured Dr Nik Cunniffe Head of the Department’s Theoretical and Computational Epidemiology Group with the Syngenta Award for his outstanding contribution to teaching, research and extension in the field of plant pathology. The Syngenta award is one of a series of APS awards that...

How do plants hedge their bets?

4 June 2021

In some environments there is no way for a seed to know for sure when the best time to germinate is. In spring, cues like light, temperature and water may suggest to seeds that conditions are optimal for germination, but a week later an unpredictable drought or frost could kill the emerging seedlings. So how does a plant...

Professor Chris Gilligan appointed to James Hutton Institute's Board of Directors

2 June 2021

Professor Chris Gilligan , Head of the Department's Epidemiology and Modelling research group, has been appointed to the James Hutton Institute' s Board of Directors effective from the 1st June 2021. Professor Gilligan's current research is focused on establishing and testing a theoretical framework that identifies the...

Plants get a faster start to their day than we think

1 June 2021

To describe something as slow and boring we say it’s “like watching grass grow”, but scientists studying the early morning activity of plants have found they make a rapid start to their day, within minutes of dawn. Just as sunrise stimulates the dawn chorus of birds, so too does sunrise stimulate a dawn burst of activity...

Professor David Coomes Contributes to Landmark British Ecological Society Report

12 May 2021

The British Ecological Society has launched a landmark report that offers, for the first time, a complete assessment of the potential of nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change and benefit biodiversity in the UK. The report , which brings together contributions from more than 100 experts, finds that nature-based...

New model developed by Professor Chris Gilligan's Group shows control measures needed post lockdown

7 May 2021

A new mathematical model developed by Professor Chris Gilligan's Epidemiology and Modelling Group indicates that the widespread use of control measures, such as facemasks, is vital to suppress the pandemic as lockdown lifts. The new model was developed in collaboration with scientists at the University of Liverpool and...

Professor Giles Oldroyd elected to National Academy of Sciences

4 May 2021

The Department’s Professor Giles Oldroyd has been elected as an international member of the National Academy of Sciences in the USA. As Russell R Geiger Professor of Crop Science and Director of the Crop Science Centre , Professor Oldroyd’s research focuses on using the foundational knowledge of plants to drive...

Alpine plant spins its own flavonoid wool

Researchers discover ancient protein domain

Professor Ian Henderson awarded highly competitive Bayer grant

Dr Nik Cunniffe receives APS Syngenta Award

How do plants hedge their bets?

Professor Chris Gilligan appointed to James Hutton Institute's Board of Directors

Plants get a faster start to their day than we think

Professor David Coomes Contributes to Landmark British Ecological Society Report

New model developed by Professor Chris Gilligan's Group shows control measures needed post lockdown

Professor Giles Oldroyd elected to National Academy of Sciences

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