Research

  • Computational biology and bioinformatics.
  • Oomycete and bacterial plant pathogens.
  • Systems biology of plant-pathogen interactions.
  • Comparative genomics of plant pathogens.

Research interests

My research centres on plant-pathogen interactions: I aim to understand what it is about microbial plant pathogens that enables them to infect plants, and what it is is about plants that allows microbes to cause disease on them. As a computational biologist, my work involves computational and mathematical analysis of biological data, such as sequence data, transcription profiles, and networks of metabolic and regulatory processes.

Systems biology

  • Plant cells contain complex systems of signalling, regulatory and metabolic networks (Pritchard and Birch, 2011) that are perturbed by invading microbes which introduce effector proteins and other molecular species into the host. Invaded plants detect molecular components of the invading pathogen and changes to their cellular networks, often responding with effective resistance. I am interested in the implications of the dynamics and structure of cellular networks for the development of plant disease caused by microbial pathogens.

Genomics and comparative genomics of plant pathogens

Oomycete and bacterial plant pathogens

  • Much of my work is in support of the practical goal of reducing the impact of severe and financially significant crop diseases caused by oomycete and bacterial plant pathogens, such as Phytophthora infestans and Dickeya species. In order to understand the relationship between our models and the outcome of infection, we need to appreciate both the biological and the mathematical details of the problem. Oomycete effector proteins (Birch et al. 2009, Birch et al. 2006, Armstrong et al. 2005), and interactions with plant defences (Gilroy et al. 2007). Microarray design and analysis of gene expression profiles in bacterial plant pathogens (McNally et al. 2012, Antunez-Lamas et al. 2009, Ravirala et al. 2007). Persistence of human pathogenic bacteria on plants (Holden et al. 2008).

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

  • Bioinformatics and mathematics are the tools that I use to study and make sense of biological sequences and other data. I am interested in visualisation tools for large datasets, and a collaboration in this area with Ian Toth, Michel Perombelon, and Prof. Elaine Shemilt of the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design resulted in exhibitions in Dundee and Singapore. I have also contributed code to open source bioinformatics projects, including Biopython. Visualisation of comparative genomic data (Pritchard et al. 2006). Galaxy (Cock et al. 2013). Tablet (Milne et al. 2013). Directed evolution and error-prone PCR (Pritchard et al. 2005). Protein sequence-structure-function analysis, including covariation analysis (Pritchard et al. 2003, Pritchard et al. 2001, Pritchard and Dufton 2000, Pritchard and Dufton, 1999)

Collaborations 

  • Plant pathogen research  is a multidisciplinary effort, and I collaborate with a number of researchers in a range of fields, in the UK and internationally.

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Lin, K.; Husmeier, D.; Dondelinger, F.; Mayer, C.D.; Liu, H.; Pritchard, L.; Salmond, G.P.C.; Toth, I.K.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Reverse engineering gene regulatory networks related to quorum sensing in the plant pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum., In: Fenyo, D. (ed.). Computational Biology. Springer, New York, Chapter 17, pp253-281.
  • Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P.R.J.; Liu, H. (2008) Genomics of the enterobacterial plant pathogens., In: Jackson, R.W. (ed.). Plant Pathogenic Bacteria: Genomics and Molecular Biology. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, 163-174.
  • Toth, I.K.; Moleleki, L.N.; Pritchard, L.; Liu, H.; Humphris, S.N.; Hyman, L.; Axelsen, G.W.; Brurberg, M.B.; Ravensdale, M.; Gilroy, E.M.; Birch, P.R.J. (2006) Erwiniae: genomics and the secret life of a plant pathogen., In: Bailey, M.J., Lilley, A.K., Timms-Wilson, T.M. & Spencer-Phillips, P.T.N. (eds.). Microbial Ecology of Aerial Plant Surfaces. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, pp191-201.

Technical / contract reports

  • Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J.; Hein, I.; Jones, J.T.; Pritchard, L. (2010) Functional analysis of pathogen effectors: how to go from genomics to durable resistance., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2009, 39-41.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Boevink, P.; Pritchard, L.; Avrova, A.O.; Morales, J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2006) Effector protein translocation in the Phytophthora infestans – potato infection., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2006, pp24-25.
  • Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L.; Holeva, M.C.; Hyman, L.J.; Bell, K.S.; Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J. (2004) New discoveries with Erwinia genomics., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, p101.

Conference papers

  • Humphris, S.; Campbell, E.; Pritchard, L.; Elphinstone, J.; Parkinson, N.; Saddler, G.; Toth, I.K. (2011) Dickeya solani in the environment., Euphresco Meeting on Dickeya, 7 November 2011.
  • Pritchard, L.; Toth, I.K. (2011) How to sequence a bacterial genome., Euphresco Meeting on Dickeya, 7 November 2011.
  • Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L. (2011) Genomics leads to new discoveries and practical solutions to blackleg disease control., European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) Conference, Oulu, Finland, 24-29 July 2011.
  • Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L. (2011) Whole genome microarrays: quorum sensing and species-specific genomic islands in Pectobacterium atrosepticum., Southern African Society for Plant Pathology, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 23-26 January 2011.
  • Toth, I.K.; Liu, H.; Coulthurst, S.J.; Humphris, S.; Douglas, E.; Hedley, P.E.; Booth, C.; Ravensdale, M.; Burr, T.; Takle, G.; Bruberg, M.; Birch, P.R.J.; Salmond, G.P.C.; Francois, P.; Schrenzel, J.; Pritchard, L. (2010) Whole genome microarrays to investigate the potato pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum species-specific genomic islands and quorum sensing., International Conference on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (ICPPB). Reunion, 7-11 June 2010.
  • Toth, I.K.; Humphris, S.; Douglas, E.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P.R.J.; Takle, G.; Brurberg, M.B.; (2010) Genomics uncovers a life on plants away from disease for the potato pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum., International Erwinia Workshop, Reunion, 5-6 June 2010.
  • Toth, I.K.; Birch, P.R.J.; Pritchard, L.; Liu, H.; Hedley, P.E.; Humphris, S.; Douglas, E.; Gilroy, E.M.; Moleleki, L.N.; Ravensdale, M.; Hardy, D.; Mayer, C.; Husmeier, D.; Lin, K. (2010) From bully to master tactician: a genomics approach reveals unexpected traits in the life of the bacterial plant pathogen Pectobacterium., IFR Seminar Series. Institute of Food Research, 4 March 2010.
  • Toth, I.K.; Birch, P.R.J.; Pritchard, L.; Humphris, S.N.; Douglas, E.; Gilroy, E.M.; Morris, J.; Hedley, P.E. (2010) Using genomics approaches to investigate the life of the bacterial potato pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum., COST 872 Nemagenics. Exploiting genomics to understand plant-nematode interactions, 4th Annual Meeting. Lisbon, Portugal, 24-27 May 2010.
  • McLellan, H.; Tian, Z.D.; Avrova, A.O.; Gilroy, E.M.; Pritchard, L.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Identification of RXLR effectors essential for virulence in Phytophthora infestans., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Breen, S.; Gilroy, E.M.; Armstrong, M.R.; Morales, J.G.; Hein, I.; Douglas, E.; Boevink, P.; McLellan, H.; Randall, E.; Tian, Z.D.; Avrova, A.O.; Pritchard, L.; Lokossou, A.A.; Govers, F.; van der Vossen, E.A.G.; Vleeshouwers, V.G.A.A.; Brunner, F.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Avr2, an RXLR effector from Phytophthora infestans., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Armstrong, M.R.; Boevink, P.; Bukharova, T.; McLellan, H.; Ramos, M.; Gilroy, E.M.; Pritchard, L.; Whisson, S.C.; Beynon, J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Identifying candidate host ‘targets’ of Phytophthora infestans translocated RXLR proteins., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Gilroy, E.M.; Hein, I.; McLellan, H.; Breen, S.; Engelhardt, S.; Tian, Z.D.; Seman, Z.A.; Pritchard, L.; Armstrong, M.R.; Randall, E.; Avrova, A.O.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Lees, A.K.; Vleeshouwers, V.G.A.A.; van West, P.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Using knowledge of RXLR effectors to seek durable resistance., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P.R.J.; Humphris, S.N.; Douglas, E.; Liu, H.; Morris, J.A.; Hedley, P.E. (2009) The humble bacterium: what would Darwin have made of this master of evolution?., BSPP Presidential Meeting: Darwin to Disease: Crops and Their Pathogens, Oxford, 22 September 2009.
  • Gilroy, E.M.; Breen, S.; Hein, I.; Tian, Z.D.; Armstrong, M.R.; Douglas, E.; Lokossou, A.A.; Boevink, P.; McLellan, H.; Randall, E.; Morales, J.G.; Avrova, A.O.; Pritchard, L.; van der Vossen, E.A.G.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Amino acid polymorphisms upstream of the RXLR motif in Phytophthora infestans effector Avr2 condition R gene recognition., The Fungal Cell, British Mycological Society Meeting, Westpark Conference Centre, Dundee, 1-4 September 2009.
  • Gilroy, E.M.; Armstrong, M.R.; Bos, J.; Taylor, R.; Morales, J.; Hein, I.; Douglas, E.; Boevink, P.; Avrova, A.O.; Breen, S.; van West, P.; Pritchard, L.; Whisson, S.C.; Sadanandom, A.; Kamoun, S.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Functional analysis of Phytophthora infestans RXLR effectors Avr2 and Avr3a., Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, USA, 17-22 March 2009.
  • Hein, I.; Gilroy, E.M.; Whisson, S.C.; Pritchard, L.; Bryan, G.J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Exploiting the Phytophthora infestans genome to determine targets for sustainable potato protection., XIV MPMI Conference, Montreal, Canada, 19-23 July 2009.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Armstrong, M.R.; Gilroy, E.M.; Bos, J.; Taylor, R.M.; Morales, J.G.; Hein, I.; Douglas, E.; Boevink, P.; Breen, S.; Pritchard, L.; Whisson, S.C.; Sadanandom, A.; Kamoun, S. (2009) Localisation and function of Phytophthora infestans RXLR effectors and their host targets., XIV MPMI Conference, Montreal, Canada, 19-23 July 2009.
  • Toth, I.K.; Humphris, S.; Douglas, E.; Liu, H.; Takle, G.W.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P (2008) Genomics technologies: helping to answer important questions in our fight against the enterobacterial plant pathogens., COST Action 864 Workshop on Host Pathogens in Pome Fruits, Izmir, Turkey, 14-15 May 2008.
  • Toth, I.K.; Birch, P.R.J.; Pritchard, L.; Moleleki, L.N.; Ravensdale, M.; Robert, C.; Liu, H.; Humphris, S.N.; Hedley, P.E.; Gilroy, E.M. (2008) What will a genome sequence do for fire blight research? Pectobacterium atrosepticum and potato – a case study., 11th International Workshop on Fire Blight, Portland, Oregon, 12-17 August 2007.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Boevink, P.; Moleleki, L.N.; Avrova, A.O.; Morales, J.G.; Gilroy, E.M.; Armstrong, M.R.; Toth, I.K.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P.R.J. (2007) A translocation signal for delivery of oomycete effector proteins into host plant cells., XIII International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Sorrento, Italy, 22-26 July 2007.
  • Toth, I.K.; Hyman, L.J.; Moleleki, L.N.; Ravensdale, M.; Robert, C.; Liu, H.; Humphris, S.N.; Hedley, P.E.; Gilroy, E.M.; Pritchard, L.; Birch, P.R.J. (2006) What has genomics ever done for us? A study of Erwinia and blackleg disease., Proceedings of Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28 February – 1 March 2006, 239-242.
  • Liu, H.; Humphris, S.N.; Hedley, P.E.; Pritchard, L.; Hyman, L.; Morris, J.; Birch, P.R.J.; Toth, I.K. (2006) The identification of novel Erwinia genes involved in disease., Proceedings of Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28 February – 1 March 2006, 331-334.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Pritchard, L.; Toth, I.K. (2005) The impact of the genomics era on our development of disease control strategies., BCPC Crop Science and Technology, Glasgow, 31 October – 2 November 2005.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Birch, P.R.J.; Boevink, P.C.; Gilroy, E.M.; Hein, I.; Pritchard, L.; Randall, E.; Whisson, S.C. (2011) Effectors from the potato late blight pathogen: their roles in suppressing or triggering the plant immune system., British Mycological Society Meeting, Exeter, September 2011.
  • Gilroy, E.M.; Breen, S.; Morales, J.G.; Lokossou, A.A.; Ramos, B.; Armstrong, M.R.; Hein, I.; Boevink, P.; Pritchard, L.; van der Vossen, E.A.G.; Vleeshouwers, V.G.A.A.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Cloning and functional analysis of Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector, Avr2., 22nd New Phytologist Symposium on Effectors in Plant-Microbe Interactions, INRA Versailles Research Centre, Paris, France, 13-16 September 2009 (Poster).
  • Armstrong, M.R.; Whisson, S.C.; Pritchard, L.; Bos, J.I.B.; Venter, E.; Avrova, A.O.; Rehmany, A.P.; Huang, S.; Kamoun, S.; Beynon, J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2005) An ancestral oomycete locus contains late blight avirulence gene Avr3a, encoding a protein that is recognised in the host cell cytoplasm., Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions Conference, Merida, Mexico, 14-19 December 2005 (Poster).

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