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Research group

Plants and Food Security

Dragonfly on green crops.

We study the response of plants to the environment at the molecular, whole plant and ecological levels. This includes interactions with nematodes, insects and microbes.

Part of Biological sciences

About

Within the group there are 4 main areas of research:

  • Plant molecular biology: we research a wide range of crops from wheat, barley and rice, to crops that are currently underutilised, but have future potential as staple foods.
     
  • Agricultural ecology: we study the interaction of plants and other organisms in the context of agricultural ecosystems.
     
  • Crop pests and pollinators: we focus on the interaction of crops with both beneficial insects such as pollinators, as well as a range of important agricultural pests.
     
  • Human nutrition: we look into the consequences of altered nutrition on human health and development including epigenetic control of gene expression.

Research highlights

Person picking cocoa plant in forest

Securing food for the future

Environment, sustainability and clean growth
Health and wellbeing
Future societies and communities
Our researchers are finding ways to provide food security for the future.

People, projects and publications

People

Dr Tomislav Cernava

Assoc Prof in Plant-Microbe Interactions

Research interests

  • Plant-microbe interactions
  • Plant and environmental microbiomes
  • Microbiome genes (M genes)

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Tomislav

Email: T.Cernava@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 2380592559

Google Scholar
ORCID

Professor Vincent O'connor

Professor of Neurochemistry

Research interests

  • Molecular mechanism of synaptic function and dysfunction
  • Synaptic degeneration
  • Genetic models of synaptic and neuronal dysfunction

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Vincent

Email: V.M.OConnor@soton.ac.uk

Tel: +44 23 8059 7651

ORCID

Dr William King

Lecturer in Plant-Microbe Interactions

Research interests

  • Root microbiome
  • Microbial interactions
  • Microbiome manipulation

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with William

Email: W.L.King@soton.ac.uk

Google Scholar
ORCID