Alison Roberts

Plant Cell Biologist
Cell and Molecular Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Education and Employment History

  • 2003 - present - Plant Cell Biologist (Band 5), James Hutton Institute
  • 2001 - 2003 - Plant Cell Biologist (Band 6), SCRI
  • 1998 - 2001 - Post-doctoral Researcher (Band 6), SCRI
  • 1995 - 1999 - PhD Plant Virology/Cell Biology - Dundee University
  • 1990 - 1994 - BSc (Hons 1st) Botany and Plant Pathology - Dundee University

Role and responsibilities

  • Head of Cell Biology and Imaging Group.
  • Lead/conduct cell biological research on virus movement, macromolecular trafficking and phloem transport.
  • Investigate the use of novel fluorescent proteins and imaging technologies to ensure cutting edge methodologies are available in the CBI unit.

Research

Potato Mop Top Virus

My primary area of research is macromolecular trafficking in relation to plant-virus interactions. I am part of the group led by Lesley Torrance that studies potato mop-top virus (PMTV) and I have a specific interest in the intra- and intercellular movement of this virus. PMTV, like other related viruses, encodes a triple-gene block (TGB) which contains three proteins involved in viral movement and spread. Recent results have shown that TGB2 and TGB3 proteins interact with parts of the plant endocytic pathway (see Haupt et al., 2005 below) and I now believe that the polar auxin transport pathway may also be involved in PMTV movement. This is a major area of focus for my current and future research in addition to further cell biological studies of the endocytic pathway involvement in PMTV pathogenesis. PMTV is transmitted by the soil-borne plasmodiophorid Spongospora subterannea, where the virus is carried in the vector zoospores. Spongospora is a pathogen in it’s own right – causing powdery scab on potatoes – and future research will study the interactions, uptake and transmission of the virus by this pathogenic vector.

Phloem Transport

I also maintain some research on phloem transport and symplastic unloading pathways.   Using fluorescent tracers, recent studies have demonstrated that symplastic connectivity between the phloem and bud meristems in potato tubers controls bud dormancy (see Viola et al., 2007 below). In leaf tissues, we have also shown that structural and functional vein maturation requires light or a product of light (Wright et al., 2003) and demonstrated that the endoplasmic reticulum of sieve elements and companion cells in the phloem is continuous through pore-plasmodesma units, showing that direct membrane trafficking is possible between these cell types (Martens et al., 2006). In 2006, I also constructed a high complexity and high quality cDNA library from the phloem and it is intended to use this to screen for plant proteins that interact with PMTV movement proteins and other plant pathogen proteins.

Techniques and Technology

In addition to my scientific research, I am responsible for ensuring that a wide range of cell biological and imaging techniques are available at SCRI, and that we maintain a state-of-the-art suite of microscopes. Confocal, fluorescence, light and electron microscopy are all available within the Cell Biology and Imaging Unit (CBI). I have a particular interest in expressible fluorescent proteins and multiple-labelling techniques to allow non-invasive, in vivo imaging of plant cell biology. Staff in CBI are currently working to develop a novel small fluorescent protein for use as a fluorescent reporter in plants.

 

Past research

I was previously based in the Programme of Cell-Cell Communication and was primarily involved in basic studies of plasmodesmata, the pores that interconnect and allow communication between plant cells. My research included investigating the structural and functional differences between simple and branched plasmodesmata, their control mechanisms, their interaction with viral proteins and their development during the sink-source transition. Prior to that, I was predominantly involved in studies of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX) movement, both intra and intercellularly, and from cell to cell or systemically through the phloem. While my primary research focus has changed in recent years, my current studies are related to and built on my previous expertise.

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

Technical / contract reports

  • Boevink, P.; Calcutt, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) Real time studies of cell-to-cell communication., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, 129-130.
  • Wright, K.M.; Roberts, A.G.; Martens, H.J.; Sauer, N.; Oparka, K.J. (2002) Phloem development and function probed with a companion-cell marker., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp118-121.
  • Gillespie, T.; Toth, R.; Haupt, S.; Boevink, P.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Oparka, K.J. (2001) A DNA-shuffled movement protein enhances virus transport by evasion of a host-mediated degradation pathway., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2000/2001, pp107-111.
  • Roberts, A.G.; Santa, Cruz, S.; Boevink, P.; Roberts, I.M.; Sauer, N.; Oparka, K.J. (1999) The sink-source transition in leaves – new insights., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1998/99, 76-79.
  • Santa, Cruz, S.; Boevink, P.; Duncan, G.; Roberts, A.G.; Prior, D.A.M.; Oparka, K.J. (1998) Probing the virus long-distance tranport pathway., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1997/98, 114-117.

Conference papers

  • Bain, R.A.; Ritchie, F.; Lees, A.K.; Dyer, C.; Roberts, A. (2011) Development of foliar late blight (P. infestans) in relation to cultivar resistance and fungicide dose on potato., Proceedings of 13th Euroblight Workshop, St Petersburg, Russia, 9-12 October 2011. Special Report No.15., pp139-144.
  • Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Oparka, K.J. (2007) A viral-based screen identifies non-cell-autonomous proteins from the phloem., International Conference on Plant Vascular Biology, Taipei, Taiwan, August 2007.
  • Savenkov, E.I.; Cowan, G.H.; Schepetilnikov, M.V.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2007) Evidence of the polar nature of multipartite tubular rod-shaped virus particles and implications for systemic movement, genome integrity and stability., 13th International Conference of IS-MPMI, Sorrento, Italy, 21-27 July 2007.
  • Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I. (2007) Analysis of intra-cellular trafficking of Potato mop-top virus movement protein TGB2 reveals novel associations with components of gravity signal transduction and the vesicular transport of auxin., 13th International Conference IS-MPMI, Sorrento, Italy, 21-23 July 2007.
  • Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2007) Potato mop-top virus; complex movement strategies involve interactions with many cellular components., Botanical Microscopy Meeting, Salzburg, Austria, 31 March – 5 April 2007.
  • Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2006) Using a crippled virus to screen for non-cell autonomous proteins., Plasmodesmata 2006, Pitlochry, 30 July – 3 August 2006.
  • Haupt, S.; Roberts, A.G.; Cowan, G.H.; Faulkner, C.; Torrance, L.; Oparka, K.J. (2006) There and back again – PD targeting meets vesicle recycling., Plasmodesmata 2006, Pitlochry, 30 July – 3 August 2006.
  • Roberts, A.G. (2006) Confocal microscopy at SCRI; Past, present and future., International Symposium on Applications of Plant Sciences in Emerging Scenario, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 20-22 March 2006.
  • Cowan, G.H.; Gillespie, T.; Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2006) Potato mop-top virus utilises the endocytic machinery and chloroplasts during replication and movement., International Symposium on Applications of Plant Sciences in Emerging Scenario, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 20-22 March 2006.
  • Haupt, S.; Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Boevink, P.; Gillespie, T.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Oparka, K.J.; Torrance, L. (2005) Plant virus proteins traffic in the endomembrane system., Mini-Symposium on Improving the Plant Secretory System for Nutrition and Health, Grasmere, 23-26 May 2005.
  • Boevink, P.; Chapman, S.N.; Bell, K.; Jackson, K.; Wright, K.M.; Latijnhouwers, M.; Gillespie, T.; Oparka, K.J.; Roberts, A.G. (2005) Investigating protein location, motion and function in living plant cells., Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba, 27 November – 2 December 2005.
  • Boevink, P.; Wright, K.M.; Roberts, A.G.; Wood, N.; MacKenzie, K.; Oparka, K.J. (2005) Towards a new model for TMV movement., Plasmodesmata 2004, Monterey, California, USA, 17-21 August 2004.
  • Cowan, G.H.; Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J.; Torrance, L. (2004) A plant virus hijacks the endocytic machinery., Plasmodesmata 2004, Monterey, California, USA, 17-21 August 2004.
  • Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Medina-Escobar, N.; Haupt, S.; Pradel, K.S.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) New insights into the structure and function of plasmodesmata., Journee Thematique De La Societe Francaise De Biologie Vegetale, Poitiers, France, 1-2 April 2004.
  • Roberts, A.G.; Boevink, P.; Calcutt, J.; Chapman, S.N.; Wright, K.M.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) New fluorescent proteins light up plant intercellular communication., SEB Plant Frontiers – The Visible Cell Biosensors and Bioreceptors Session, Exeter 3-6 July 2004.
  • Wright, K.M.; Wood, N.T.; Roberts, A.G.; Boevink, P.; Gillespie, T.; MacKenzie, K.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) Plasmodesmal targeting of TMV movement protein utilises the ER/actin network., Plasmodesmata 2004, Monterey, California, USA, August 17-21 2004.
  • Gillespie, T.; Haupt, S.; Toth, R.L.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2001) Elucidation of the improved functions of a DNA shuffled TMV movement protein., Abstract for the ‘Plasmodesma 2001’ Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, August 2001, 98-100.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Pasare, S.; Bramley, P.M.; Fraser, P.D.; Roberts, A.G.; Taylor, M.A. (2011) Regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in potato tubers., Annual Main Meeting of Society for Experimental Biology, Glasgow, 1-4 July 2011.
  • Pasare, S.; Bramley, P.M.; Fraser, P.D.; Roberts, A.G.; Taylor, M.A. (2011) Regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in potato tubers., Annual Main Meeting of Society for Experimental Biology, Glasgow, 1-4 July 2011. (Poster)
  • Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2011) The role of Potato mop-top virus TGB1 movement protein in cell-cell and long-distance transport., Royal Microscopical Society Botanical Microscopy Meeting, 9th, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 16-21 April 2011 (Poster).
  • Tilsner, J.; Cowan, G.H.; Wright, K.M.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Savenkov, E.; Torrance, L.; (2010) The coordinated action of potato mop-top virus triple gene block movement proteins in cell-cell and long-distance transport., Plasmodesmata 2010, Sydney, Australia, 21-26 March 2010 (Poster).
  • Pasare, S.; Roberts, A.G.; Fraser, P.; Bramley, P.; Taylor, M.A. (2010) Regulatory mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in plant tubers., 7th Solanaceae Conference 2010, Dundee, 5-9 September 2010, 198 (Poster).
  • Prashar, A.; Roberts, A.G.; King, D.; Jones, H.G.; Ramsay, G.; Hallett, P.D.; George, T.S.; Hedley, P.E.; McNicol, J.W.; Dale, M.F.B.; White, P.J.; Bryan, G.J. (2010) Water use efficiency in potato., 7th Solanaceae Conference 2010, Dundee, 5-9 September 2010, 161. (Poster)
  • Kurian, S.M.; Bollenbeck, F.; Seiffert, U.; Roberts, A.G. (2010) Geometrical modelling for 3D laser microdissection of phloem tissue., International Conference on Plant Vascular Biology 2010, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 24-28 July 2010 (Poster).
  • Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2010) The coordinated action of potato mop-top virus triple gene block movement proteins in viral cell-to-cell transport., EMBO Workshop. Genomic Approaches to Interactions between Plant Viruses, their Hosts and their Vectors, Fenestrelle, Italy, 12-16 June 2010 (Poster).
  • Gopalakrishnan, V.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2009) Acquisition and transmission of PMTV by Spongospora subterranea., Association of Applied Biologists. Potatoes: Viruses and their Vectors, SASA, Edinburgh, 16 September 2009 (Poster).
  • Gopalakrishnan, V.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2009) Acquisition and transmission of PMTV by Spongospora subterranea., 37th Scottish Microscopy Group Symposium, Edinburgh, 4 November 2009 (Poster).
  • Kurian, S.M.; Roberts, A.G. (2009) Geometrical modelling for 3D laser microdissection., 37th Scottish Microscopy Group Symposium, Edinburgh, 4 November 2009 (Poster).
  • Haupt, S.; Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2004) New insights into potato mop-top virus movement., Abstracts of the Plant Virus Workshop, 154th Meeting of Society for General Microbiology, Bath, 29 March -2 April 2004.
  • Torrance, L.; Haupt, S.; Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) Plant viral movement proteins utilise the endocytic recycling pathway., 2nd EPSO Conference, Italy, 10-14 October, 2004 (Abstract).
  • Roberts, A.G.; Wright, K.M.; Wood, N.T.; Gillespie, T.; Boevink, P.; Haupt, S.; Oparka, K.J. (2003) Intercellular targeting of viral movement protein to plasmodesmata., Abstracts of the International Conference on Phloem Transport, University of Bayreuth, Germany, 31 August – 5 September 2003.
  • Wright, K.M.; Wood, N.T.; Gillespie, T.; Boevink, P.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2003) Intercellular viral movement protein targeting to plasmodesmata., Abstracts of the Seventh International Botanical Microscopy Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, 12-17 April 2003.
  • Wright, K.M.; Roberts, A.G.; Martens, A.G.; Sauer, N.; Oparka, K.J. (2003) Structural and functional vein maturation in developing tobacco leaves in relation to ATSUC2 promoter activity., Abstracts of the Seventh International Botanical Microscopy Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, 12-17 April 2003.
  • Wright, K.M.; Roberts, A.G.; Martens, A.G.; Sauer, N.; Oparka, K.J. (2003) The influence of light on the sink-to-source transition., Abstracts of the International Phloem Conference, Bayreuth, Germany, 31 August – 5 September 2003.
  • Roberts, I.M.; Boevink, P.; Roberts, A.G.; Sauer, N.; Reichel, C.; Oparka, K.J. (2001) Dynamic changes in the frequency and architecture of plasmodesmata during the sink-source transition in tobacco leaves., Abstracts of the 29th Scottish Microscopy Symposium, Glasgow, 14 November 2001, 12.
  • Roberts, I.M.; Boevink, P.; Roberts, A.G.; Sauer, N.; Reichel, C.; Oparka, K.J. (2001) Dynamic changes in the frequency and architecture of plasmodesmata during the sink-source transition in tobacco leaves., Abstract for the ‘Plasmodesma 2001’ Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 19-24 August 2001, 6-8.
  • Boevink, P.; Haupt, S.; Toth, R.L.; Roberts, A.G.; Oparka, K.J. (2001) Cell-cell movement of TMV in the absence of microtubules., Abstract for the ‘Plasmodesma 2001’ Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 19-24 August 2001, 57.

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