Team members

Immunology and Molecular Methods

Neil Boonham -

Team leader
Immunology and Molecular Methods

Neil Boonham is a molecular plant virologist who has been specialising in recent years on the development of new methods for the detection of plant pathogens and the identification of pests. He has managed a number of large R&D projects funded primarily by Defra and the EU (for example Coordinator of EU 6th framework project 'PortCheck: Development of generic 'on site' molecular diagnostics for EU quarantine pests and pathogens).

Publications

Bennison J;Maulden K;Tomiczek M;Morris J;Barker I;Boonham N;Spence N; (2007) Use of entomopathogenic nematodes for the management of western flower thrips and tospoviruses. Journal of Insect Science 7,.

Collins DW; Walsh K;Boonham N;Glover R;Barker I; (2007) A sequence specific real-time PCR (TaqMan (R)) assay for Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera : Thripidae); Its use and advantages as a molecular quarantine identification tool. Journal of Insect Science 7,.

Cullen DW; Toth IK;Boonham N;Walsh K;Barker I;Lees AK; (2007) Development and validation of conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of storage rot potato pathogens, Phytophthora erythroseptica, Pythium ultimum and Phoma foveata. Journal of Phytopathology 155(5),309-315.

For more publications that Neil has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Ian Adams -

Molecular Biologist

Ian Adams has extensive experience of the molecular biology of microorganisms, plants and humans. He works as part of the Immunological and Molecular Methods Team developing new assays for the detection of plant pathogens using microarrays and TaqMan PCR.

Publications

Adams, R.L., Adams, I.P., Lindow S.W., Zhong,W. & Atkin S.L. (2005) Somatostatin receptors 2 and 5 are preferentially expressed in proliferating endothelium. British Journal of Cancer 92(8):1493-8.

Li, Y., Adams, I.P., Wynn, J.P., & Ratledge, C. (2005) Cloning of gene encoding malic enzyme from oleaginous fungus Mucor circinelloides Mycological Research 109:461-468

Adams, R.L, Adams, I.P., Lindow, S.W. & Atkin, S.L. (2004) Inhibition of Endothelial Proliferation by the Somatostatin Analogue SOM230, Clinical Endocrinology 61(4):431-6.

For more publications that Ian has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Wendy Monger -

Molecular Biologist

Wendy is part of the novel diagnostic unit developing molecular diagnostic assays for viruses. She provides technical advise and support to the virus diagnostic unit, taking identification of viruses to the sequence level. In addition she oversees projects of visiting workers who are interested in virus related studies.

Publications

Monger WA, Seal S, Cotton S, Foster GD (2001) The identification of different isolates of Cassava brown streak virus and development of a diagnostic test. Plant Pathology 50 (6) 768-775.

Monger WA, Clover GRG, Foster GD (2001) Molecular identification of Oat mosaic virus as a bymovirus. European Journal of Plant Pathology 107 661-666.

Monger WA, Seal S, Issacs AM, Foster GD (2001) Molecular characterisation of the Cassava brown streak virus coat protein gene. Plant Pathology 50 (4) 527-534.

For more publications that Wendy has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Jenny Tomlinson -

Plant Virologist

Jenny Tomlinson undertakes research and development into diagnostic techniques for plant pathogens and pests using molecular biology techniques, primarily involving methods for extraction and amplification of nucleic acids.

Publications

Tomlinson J.A, Barker I., and Boonham N. 2007. Faster, simpler, more-specific methods for improved molecular detection of Phytophthora ramorum in the field. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 73:4040-4047.

Boonham N., Tomlinson J., and Mumford R. 2007. Microarrays for rapid identification of plant viruses. Annual Review of Phytopathology 45:307-28.

Mumford R.A., Tomlinson J., Barker I. and Boonham N. 2006. Advances in molecular phytodiagnostics - new solutions for old problems. European Journal of Plant Pathology 116:1-19.

For more publications that Jenny has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Rachel Glover -

Molecular Biologist

Rachel is responsible for research and development of molecular methods for the detection and identification of invertebrates, including nematodes. Her main activities are:

• Research and development of species identification methods, utilising microarray, real-time PCR, DNA barcoding and next-generation genome sequencing technologies.
• Provision of general bioinformatics and phylogenetics support/training.

Publications

Collins D. W, Walsh K., Boonham N., Glover R. & Barker I. (2007) A sequence specific real-time PCR (TaqMan®) assay for Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae); its use and advantages as a molecular quarantine identification tool. In: Ullman D., Moyer J., Goldbach R. & Moritz G. 2007. VIII International Symposium on Thysanoptera and Tospoviruses September 11-15, 2005 Asilomar, Pacific Grove, California. 49pp. Journal of Insect Science 7:28, available online: insectscience.org/7.28.

Malumphy, C., Suarez M.B., Glover R., Boonham N., & Collins D. W., (2007). Morphological and molecular evidence supporting the validity of Trialeurodes lauri and T. ricini (Hemiptera: Sternorryncha: Aleyrodidae). European Journal of Entomology. 104(2): 295-301.

Mumford, R.A., Glover, R., Daly, M., Nixon, T., Harju, V., & Skelton, A. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) infecting lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorumI) in the UK: the first finding and detection by real-time PCR. New Disease Reports (In press)

For more publications that Rachel has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Siobhan Ostoja-Starzewska -

Plant Virologist

Siobhan is responsible for research and development into novel monoclonal and Polyclonal antibodies for a variety of targets: allergens, antibiotics, animal and plant pathogens (bacterial, fungal and viral), small molecules, recombinant proteins etc for Defra, Seedcorn, EU and Commercial contracts. Her main activities/areas of responsibility are:

• Project supervision and milestone management and report submission
• Research and development into novel Mab development
• ELISA optimisation and characterisation studies
• Implementation and supervision of ISO, COSHH and H&S objectives
• Staffing and resource management

Publications

Ostoja-Starzewska S;Reid S; (2006) Pyrrhidium sanguineum (Linnaeus) (Cerambycidae) and a fatal case of mistaken identity. The Coleopterist 15(2),67-68.

Danks C;Ostoja-Starzewska S;Flint J;Banks JN; (2003) The development of a lateral flow device for the discrimination of OTA producing and non-producing fungi. Aspects of Applied Biology 68, 21-28.

Danks C;Ostoja-Starzewska SA;Rizvi RH;Banks JN; (2001) Development of rapid assays for the detection of fungi and mycotoxins. Mycotoxins 51,41-49.

For more publications that Siobhan has authored or contributed to, please use the CSL publications database.

Jeff Peters -

Molecular Plant Pathologist

Jeff Peters is a plant pathologist who is managing a number of R&D projects on using molecular diagnostic tools to detect and quantify plant pathogens with a view to using the data to predict the impact or risk of disease on crop health.

One project involving collaboration with SCRI and SAC, which is funded by the British Potato Council, focuses on Erwinia on seed tubers and Rhizoctonia, black dot, powdery scab and PMTV in field soils. It combines work on real-time PCR assays with the development of seed and soil sampling strategies. These will be used in conjunction with epidemiological data to provide advice on disease control. The diagnostic tests and advice will be evaluated by industry partners.