Welcome to the research pages for Plant Molecular Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London. This Centre is addressing fundamental aspects that determine plant traits with agronomical, nutritional and health benefits. Basic research is carried out in model plants, such as Arabidopsis. The Centre seeks innovative ways to apply fundamental science to crop, vegetable and ornamental plants. An expanding area within the Centre's research activities is the Systems and Synthetic Biology that is in close collaboration with staff in the Department of Computer Science, RHUL. The main research themes of the Centre are “Genetic engineering for crop improvement”, ” Growth and cell cycle control”, ”Plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress”, “Senescence” and “Light control of plant development”. Areas of strength include plant cell wall biochemistry, carotenoid biosynthesis, signalling mechanisms in cell cycle regulation, metabolomics, photoregulation of gene expression and organ senescence. The Centre has numerous research links with industrial and academic partners including Syngenta, Bayercropscience, Unilever, Advanced Technologies, Horticulture Research International, John Innes Centre, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Food Standard Agency, CABI, Veterinary Laboratories Agency and with other universities in the USA and Europe.

+44 (0)1784 443407

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Plant molecular biology: Regulation of the cell division cycle in plants and the signalling pathways involved.

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Regulation of biosynthesis and modification of plant cell wall components during development and in response to fungal attack.  Lignin, xylan and cellulose biosynthesis.  Genetic manipulation to modify lignin and hemicellulose content. Protein sequencing.

+44 (0)1784 443555

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Biochemistry and molecular biology of carotenoid biosynthesis in tomatoes.  Genetic manipulation of tomatoes to enhance carotenoid content.  In vivo and in vitro studies on anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties of carotenoids.

+44 (0)1784 443543

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Role of hydrogen peroxide and enzyme phosphorylation in the response to fungal elicitors.

+44 (0)1784 414698

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Light input to the circadian clock in Arabidopsis thaliana. Genetic dissection of light signalling in the shade avoidance response. Molecular analysis of plant microbe interactions on the leaf surface.

+44 (0)1784 443184

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Establish the link between jasmonate signalling and the cell cycle. Engineering jasmonate-mediated production of secondary products in plants. Construction of high-order gene regulatory networks related to plant stresses and hormones.

+44 (0)1784 443894

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TBA

+44 (0)1784 443951

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Molecular genetics of light control of chloroplast and leaf development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Light control of photosynthetic gene expression. Role of chloroplast signals in regulating nuclear genes.

+44 (0)1784 443761

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Higher plant reproduction, role of hormones and ethylene in post-pollination phenomena, fruit ripening and senescence.  Development of novel microscopical techniques.

To access publications by individual members of staff please go to "Staff" web pages