Paul Birch

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

Employment history

  • October 2007-present - Professor of Plant Pathology, Division of Plant Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee (at the James Hutton Institute).
  • 2002-2007 - Molecular Plant Pathologist (Band 4), SCRI.
  • 1999-2002 - Molecular Plant Pathologist (Band 5), SCRI.
  • 1995-1999 - Molecular Plant Pathologist (Band 6), SCRI.

Research

To be a successful pathogen, microbes need to suppress or otherwise manipulate host defences. For this, they secrete proteins and other chemicals that can interact with the host cell. In some cases, these virulence determinants are translocated inside host cells where they re-programme defences and metabolism to the pathogen’s benefit. My group focuses the oomycete late blight pathogen of potato, Phytophthora infestans.

We are particularly interested in ‘effector’ proteins that are translocated inside the host cell, in the mechanisms by which they are delivered and the means by which they are regulated in P. infestans. We want to know when they are needed and where they are localised during infection. We want to know the mode of action of such virulence determinants: what are their host targets and what roles do those targets play in plant defence, development or metabolism? We also want to identify those effectors that are recognised by resistance proteins in wild potato and non-host plants, and to elucidate the precise mechanisms underpinning recognition.

Key Collaborators

  • Jim Beynon (University of Warwick, UK).
  • Frederic Brunner (University of Tuebingen, Germany)
  • Teresa Coutinho, Dave Berger, Lucy Moleleki, Noelani van den Berg (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
  • Francine Govers (Wageningen University, Netherlands).
  • Howard Judelson (University of California, Riverside, USA).
  • Sophien Kamoun, Jonathan Jones (The Sainsbury Laboratory, JIC, UK).
  • Veronique Lefebvre (INRA, Avignon, France).
  • Juan Morales (National University of Colombia, Medellin, Colombia).
  • Ari Sadanandom (University of Durham, UK).
  • Tian Zhendong, Xie Conghua (Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China)
  • Vivianne Vleeshouwers (Wageningen University, Netherlands).
  • Pieter van West (University of Aberdeen, UK).

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

  • Boevink, P.; Birch, P.R.J.; Whisson, S.C. (2011) Imaging fluorescently tagged Phytophthora effector proteins inside infected plant tissue., In: McDowell, J.M. (ed.). Methods in Molecular Biology Plant Immunity: Methods and Protocols. Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, USA, Chapter 712, pp195-209.
  • 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.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Avrova, A.O. (2009) Gene expression profiling., In: Lamour, K.H. & Kamoun, S. (eds.). Oomycete Genetics and Genomics: Diversity, Interactions and Research Tools. Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, 477-492.
  • 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.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Cooke, D.E.L. (2004) Mechanisms of infection – oomycetes., In: Goodman, R.G. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp697-700.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Avrova, A.O.; Dellagi, A.; Lacomme, C.; Santa Cruz, S.; Lyon, G.D. (2000) To die and let live: programmed cell death in plants in response to pathogen attack., In: Molecular Plant Pathology (eds. M. Dickinson and J. Beynon). Annual Plant Reviews, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, Volume 4, pp175-197.
  • Duncan, J.M.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Birch, P.R.J.; Toth, R.L. (1998) Molecular variability in sexually reproducing fungal plant pathogens., In: Bridge, P., Couteaudier, Y. & Clarkson, J. (eds.). Molecular Variability of Fungal Pathogens. CAB International, Wallinford, pp19-39.

Technical / contract reports

  • Hein, I.; Birch, P.R.J.; Chapman, S.N.; Bryan, G.J. (2011) Pathogen effector driven search for more durable potato late blight resistance., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2010, pp38-40.
  • 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.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J.; Adam, M.; Blok, V.C.; Jones, J.T. (2004) Functional genomic tools for the major eukaryotic pathogens of potato., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp127-128.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Armstrong, M.R.; Jones, J.T.; Venter, E.; Birch, P.R.J. (2004) Targeting late blight with gene discovery., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, pp102-103.
  • Hrubikova, K.; Gilroy, E.M.; Faivre-Rampant, O.; Loake, G.; Birch, P.R.J.; Taylor, M.A.; Lacomme, C. (2003) Viral induced gene silencing in crop species., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, pp98-99.
  • Toth, I.K.; Bell, K.S.; Holeva, M.C.; Bryan, G.J.; Avrova, A.O.; Hyman, L.; Birch, P.R.J. (2002) Erwinia genomics: A new era in the battle against potato disease., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp25-28.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Armstrong, M.R.; Campbell, E.; Birch, P.R.J. (2002) Late blight of potato: Pathogen genomics approaches to a continuing problem., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp29-32.
  • Blok, V.C.; Armstrong, M.R.; Banks, B.; Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J.; Castelli, L.; Jones, J.T.; Kumar, A.; Phillips, M.S.; Purvis, A.; Ramsay, G.; Waugh, R.; Wishart, J. (2002) Investigating gene expression in nematode-infected roots., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp122-124.
  • Whisson, S.C.; van der Lee, T.; Bryan, G.J.; Waugh, R.; Govers, F.; Birch, P.R.J. (2001) Phytophthora infestans genomics: positional cloning of avirulence genes., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2000/2001, pp132-135.
  • De Jong, W.; Davidson, J.; Bryan, G.J.; Birch, P.R.J.; Waugh, R.; Marshall, D.F. (2000) Gene discovery in potato., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1999/2000, pp105-107.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Maughan, V.; Birch, P.R.J.; Toth, R.; Gourlay, F.; Carnegie, S.; Duncan, J.M. (2000) The status of Scottish late blight populations., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1999/2000, 150-153.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Birch, A.N.E.; Birch, P.R.J.; Duncan, J.M.; Griffiths, D.W.; Lyon, G.D.; Trudgill, D.L.; Williamson, B.; Wilson, T.M.A.; Hillman, J.R. (1998) Are diseased and blemished foodstuffs good for you? The need for plant pathology., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1997/98, pp54-60.

Conference papers

  • 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.
  • Jantsch, C.; Chen, Y.; Gilroy, E.M.; Birch, P.R.J.; Brunner, F. (2010) Identification of Phytophthora infestans RXLR-(EER) effectors suppressing PAMP-triggered immunity., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Wawra, S.; Grouffaud, S.; Bain, J.; Whisson, S.C.; Matena, A.; Porter, A.J.; Bayer, P.; Birch, P.R.J.; Secombes, C.J.; van West, P. (2010) Unravelling the mechanism of RXLR mediated translocation of oomycete effector proteins., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Lees, A.K.; Hansen, J.G.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Molecular diversity of Phytophthora infestans populations at local and regional scales., KNPV Meeting. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 16 June 2010.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Lees, A.K.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Ongoing change in populations of Phytophthora infestans in the GB potato crop., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, Toulouse, France, 6-8 June 2010.
  • Cano, L.M.; Raffaele, S.; Win, J.; Schornack, S.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Birch, P.R.J.; Kamoun, S. (2010) Comparative genome analysis of a strain from the UK blue 13 clonal lineage of Phytophthora infestans reveals significant genetic and expression polymorphisms in effector genes., Oomycete Molecular Genetics Network Congress, France, 6-8 June 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.
  • Engelhardt, S.; Armstrong, M.R.; Boevink, P.; Ramos, M.; Gilroy, E.M.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) R3a-mediated recognition of AVR3a: Cell biological and biochemical characterisation., 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.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Vetukuri, R.R.; Tian, Z.D.; Dixelius, C.; Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J.; Avrova, A.O. (2009) Silencing of candidate pathogenicity factors in Phytophthora infestans: transient and stable silencing., Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, USA, 17-22 March 2009.
  • Grouffaud, S.; van West, P.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J.; Whisson, S.C. (2009) Plasmodium falciparum and Hyaloperonospora parasitica effector translocation motifs are functional in Phytophthora infestans., Fungal Genetics Conference, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California, USA, 17-22 March 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.
  • Wawra, S.; Phillips, A.J.; Minor, K.; Grouffaud, S.; Bain, J.; Gilroy, E.M.; Robertson, E.J.; Anderson, V.L.; Bruce, C.R.; Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; Homer, N.R.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J.; Porter, A.J.; Secombes, C.J.; van West, P. (2009) Unravelling the mechanism of RXLR mediated translocation of oomycete effector proteins., 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.
  • Boevink, P.; Ramos, M.; Armstrong, M.R.; Allen, R.; Gilroy, E.M.; Donovan, S.; Rehmany, A.; Beynon, J.; Birch, P.R.J. (2009) Evolutionarily distinct RXLR effectors from distantly related oomycetes target the plant exocyst., 14th International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Quebec, Canada, 19-23 July 2009.
  • van den Berg, N.; Berger, D.K.; Hein, I.; Birch, P.R.J.; Wingfield, M.J.; Viljoen, A. (2009) Genes up-regulated in tolerant Cavendish banana roots in response to Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. cubense infection., International Symposium on Recent Advances in Banana Crop Protection for Sustainable Production and Improved Livelihoods, White River, South Africa, 10-14 September 2007. Acta Horticulturae, 828, pp273-282.
  • 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.
  • Cooke, D.E.L.; Lees, A.K.; Zhan, J.; Hansen, J.S.; Lassen, P.; Birch, P.R.J. (2008) Molecular tools for analysis of populations of Phytophthora infestans at a local and global scale., Global Potato Conference 2008, New Delhi, India, 9-12 December 2008.
  • Grouffaud, S.; Boevink, P.; Avrova, A.O.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J.; Whisson, S.C. (2008) Translocation of effector proteins from the oomycete Phytophthora infestans into plant cells., 9th European Conference on Fungal Genetics, Edinburgh, 5-8 April 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.
  • Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; Anderson, V.L.; Avrova, A.O.; Williams, A.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J.; van West, P. (2007) Cellulose synthesis in Phytophthora infestans is required for appressorium formation and successful infection of potato., BSPP Presidential Meeting, University of Bath, 12-14 September 2007 (Poster).
  • Hein, I.; Harrower, B.E.; Squires, J.; Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J. (2007) Screening wild potato accessions for resistance to the virulent allel of the Phytophthora infestans effector avr3a EM., XIII International Congress of Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, Sorrento, Italy, 21-27 July 2007.

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.
  • Boevink, P.; Bukharova, T.; McLellan, H.; Armstrong, M.R.; Gilroy, E.M.; Birch, P.R.J. (2010) Imaging plant-pathogen interactions: Phytophthora infestans RXLR effector localisation in planta., 9th International Mycological Congress,The Biology of Fungi, Edinburgh, 1-6 August 2010 (Poster).
  • Hein, I.; Whisson, S.C.; Armstrong, M.; Gilroy, E.M.; Avrova, A.O.; Tian, Z.; Chapman, S.N.; Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J. (2010) Identifying key Phytophthora infestans effectors as targets for more durable late blight resistance., 7th Solanaceae Conference 2010, Dundee, 5-9 September 2010, 155 (Poster).
  • 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).
  • Avrova, A.O.; Boevink, P.; Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J.; Whisson, S.C. (2007) Transient gene silencing – a step forward in identifying novel pathogenicity factors in the late blight pathogen., BSPP Presential Meeting, University of Bath, 12-14 September 2007 (Poster).
  • Armstrong, M.R.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2007) Yeast 2 hybrid screening as a method for the identification of plant targets of oomycete effector protein Avr3a., BSPP Presential Meeting, University of Bath, 12-14 September 2007 (Poster).
  • Morales, J.; Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Armstrong, M.R.; Kamoun, S.; Birch, P.R.J. (2007) Screening potato genotypes for responses to RXLR class effector genes from Phytophthora infestans., 13th International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Sorrento, Italy, 21-26 July 2007 (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).
  • Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; Bruce, C.R.; Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Williams, A.; Birch, P.R.J.; van West, P. (2004) Functional characterisation of a cellulose synthase from P. infestans throught proteomics and RNA-interference., Molecular Biology of Fungal Pathogens XV, Gregynog, Wales, 17-19 July 2004, 12 (Poster).
  • Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Young, V.; Armstrong, M.R.; Grenville, L.J.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J. (2004) Functional analysis of Phytophthora infestans genes., Molecular Biology of Fungal Pathogens XV, Gregynog, Wales, 17-19 July 2004, 10 (Poster).
  • Lacomme, C.; Faivre-Rampant, O.; Gilroy, E.M.; Valentine, T.A.; Shaw, J.; Hrubikova, K.; Blok, V.C.; Hein, I.; Haupt, S.; Loake, G.; Birch, P.R.J.; Taylor, M.A.; Oparka, K.J. (2004) Virus-induced gene silencing vector development for functional studies in Solanaceae., 1st Solanaceae Genome Workshop. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 19-21 September 2004 (Abstract).
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Venter, E.; Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Stage-specific gene transcription in Phytophthora infestans prior to and during the early stags of potato infection., XII Fungal Genetics Conference, Pacific Grove, California, 18-23 March 2003 (Poster).
  • Armstrong, M.R.; Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Cloning avirulence genes from Phytophthora infestans., XXII Fungal Gnetics Conference, Pacific Grove, California, 18-23 March 2003 (Poster).
  • Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Hein, I.; de Luca, S.; Venter, E.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Differential gene expression in Phytophthora infestans prior to and during potato infection., 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2-7 February 2003 (Poster).
  • Whisson, S.C.; Armstrong, M.R.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Physical mapping and positional cloning of avirulence genes in Phytophthora infestans., 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2-7 February 2003 (Poster).
  • Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Grenville-Briggs, L.J.; van West, P.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Appressorium and germinating cyst-specific gene discovery in Phytophthora infestans., BSPP Presidential Meeting, University of Nottingham, 15-18 December 2003 (Poster).
  • Whisson, S.C.; Armstrong, M.R.; Kamoun, S.; Rehmany, A.; Beynon, J.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) A candidate AVr3 gene from Phytophthora infestans., BSPP Presidential Meeting, University of Nottingham, 15-18 December 2003 (Poster).
  • Armstrong, M.R.; Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Cloning of avirulence genes from Phytophthora infestans., 11th International Congress on Molecular Plant-microbe Interactions, St. Petersburg, Russia, 18-26 July 2003 (Poster).
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Physical mapping of the Phytophthora infestans genome., 11th International Congress on Molecular Plant-microbe Interactions, St. Petersburg, Russia, 18-26 July 2003 (Poster).
  • Blok, V.C.; Armstrong, M.R.; Phillips, M.S.; Paterson, A.; Young, V.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J. (2003) Expression of a WRKY-like transcription factor in potato roots in response to infection by potato cyst nematodes (PCN)., BSPP Presidential Meeting 2003 – Plant-Pathogen Genomics – from Sequence to Application, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, 15-18 December 2003, 43 (Abstract).

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