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Dr Imogen Sparkes
Honorary Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology
Overview
Broad research specialisms:
I am a plant cell biologist with interests in understanding the role and regulation of organelle movement and morphology. Movement of spheroid organelles such as peroxisomes and Golgi can appear almost erratic, whilst the ER network undergoes drastic remodeling from tubular to cisternal form, and continual growth, shrinkage and sliding of tubules. Fundamental questions in understanding the role of such movement, and the factors that regulate these phenomena, are being tackled using a combination of molecular biology and bio-imaging techniques.
Qualifications
1998 - 2002: PhD, Plant biology, Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds
1994 - 1997: BA (Hons) Natural Sciences, Cambridge University
Career
2015 - present : Senior lecturer in cell biology, University of Exeter
2012 - 2015: Cell Biology lecturer, University of Exeter
2009 - 2012: Senior research fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology, Oxford Brookes University
2003 - 2009: Postdoctoral researcher, Oxford Brookes University
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Plant organelles are extremely dynamic in terms of motility and morphology. For example in leaf epidermal cells, where most of the cytoplasm is confined to a thin peripheral layer due to the presence of a large vacuole, Golgi bodies can reach speeds of up to 8µm/s. Several classes of organelle such as peroxisomes, mitochondria and Golgi bodies undergo different types of movement such as uni and bidirectional, and appear to randomly stop and then go. The cortical ER is composed of a polygonal network of tubules. The tubules can readily grow, shrink and slide to form branch points, and convert into a cisternal 'sheet' form.
The almost chaotic and seemingly indiscriminate motion alters in response to changes in environmental stimuli, begging the question, does movement have a functional role?
My group is interested in characterising the molecular factors that control plant organelle movement and morphology. Organelle movement in higher plants is predominantly controlled by the actin cytoskeleton and myosin, the molecular motors that traverse actin. ER morphology is controlled in part by actin and myosin, and also by structural proteins called reticulons. By understanding these components and more, we can then start to address whether by affecting organelle movement and morphology, we can in turn affect organelle function and ultimately cell growth and maintenance.
Movement of ER (green) and Golgi bodies (red) in Arabidopsis leaf epidermal cells
(Sparkes et al. Biochem. J. 2009).
Research projects
External grants / funding:
2015 Leverhulme Trust grant, Principle Investigator on 'Biophysical and molecular characterisation of ER-organelle interactions in plants'.
2015 STFC programme access grant, Principle investigator on 'Biophysical and molecular characterisation of organelle movement and positioning in plant cells'.
2014 New Phytologist Symposium fund, Co-investigator on 'Developing interdisciplinary omics tools for organelle and cell type-specific analysis of plants’.
2014 Royal Society grant, Principle Investigator on 'Effects of temperature on organelle dynamics and interactions in plants'.
2012 STFC programme access grant, Co-investigator on 'The Plant Cell Initiative'.
2012 BBSRC grant Co-investigator on 'Putting the squeeze on PDs - reticulons, plasmodesmata and viral trafficking in plants'.
2011 BBSRC grant Principle Investigator on 'Characterisation of Arabidopsis myosin recruitment'.
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Key publications
Gao H, Metz J, Teanby NA, Ward AD, Botchway SW, Coles B, Pollard MR, Sparkes I (2016). In Vivo Quantification of Peroxisome Tethering to Chloroplasts in Tobacco Epidermal Cells Using Optical Tweezers. Plant Physiol, 170(1), 263-272. Abstract. Author URL.
Lin C, Zhang Y, Sparkes I, Ashwin P (2014). Structure and dynamics of ER: minimal networks and biophysical constraints. Biophys J, 107(3), 763-772. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Hawkins TJ, Richardson C, Cummins I, Deeks MJ, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Hussey PJ (2014). The plant cytoskeleton, NET3C, and VAP27 mediate the link between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Biol, 24(12), 1397-1405. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2011). FrontiERs: movers and shapers of the higher plant cortical endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Opin Plant Biol, 14(6), 658-665. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I (2011). Recent advances in understanding plant myosin function: life in the fast lane. Mol Plant, 4(5), 805-812. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I, Tolley N, Aller I, Svozil J, Osterrieder A, Botchway S, Mueller C, Frigerio L, Hawes C (2010). Five Arabidopsis reticulon isoforms share endoplasmic reticulum location, topology, and membrane-shaping properties. Plant Cell, 22(4), 1333-1343. Abstract. Author URL.
Publications by category
Journal articles
Lin C, Lemarchand L, Euler R, Sparkes I (2018). Modeling the Geometry and Dynamics of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Network. IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, 15(2), 377-386.
Sparkes I, White RR, Coles B, Botchway SW, Ward A (2018). Using Optical Tweezers Combined with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy to Study Interactions Between the ER and Golgi in Plant Cells. Methods Mol Biol, 1691, 167-178. Abstract. Author URL.
Bayer EM, Sparkes I, Vanneste S, Rosado A (2017). From shaping organelles to signalling platforms: the emerging functions of plant ER–PM contact sites. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 40, 89-96. Abstract.
Lin C, White RR, Sparkes I, Ashwin PB (2017). Modelling endoplasmic reticulum network maintenance in a plant cell. Biophysical Journal, 113, 214-222.
Griffing LR, Lin C, Perico C, White RR, Sparkes I (2017). Plant ER geometry and dynamics: biophysical and cytoskeletal control during growth and biotic response. Protoplasma, 254(1), 43-56. Abstract. Author URL.
Osterrieder A, Sparkes IA, Botchway SW, Ward A, Ketelaar T, de Ruijter N, Hawes C (2017). Stacks off tracks: a role for the golgin AtCASP in plant endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus tethering. Journal of Experimental Botany, 68(13), 3339-3350.
Gao H, Metz J, Teanby NA, Ward AD, Botchway SW, Coles B, Pollard MR, Sparkes I (2016). In Vivo Quantification of Peroxisome Tethering to Chloroplasts in Tobacco Epidermal Cells Using Optical Tweezers. Plant Physiol, 170(1), 263-272. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Richardson C, Hawkins TJ, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Hussey PJ (2016). Plant<scp>VAP</scp>27 proteins: domain characterization, intracellular localization and role in plant development. New Phytologist, 210(4), 1311-1326.
Sparkes I (2016). Using Optical Tweezers to Characterize Physical Tethers at Membrane Contact Sites: Grab it, Pull it, Set it Free?. Front Cell Dev Biol, 4 Author URL.
Knox K, Wang P, Kriechbaumer V, Tilsner J, Frigerio L, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Oparka K (2015). Putting the Squeeze on Plasmodesmata: a Role for Reticulons in Primary Plasmodesmata Formation. Plant Physiol, 168(4), 1563-1572. Abstract. Author URL.
Rodríguez-Serrano M, Pazmiño DM, Sparkes I, Rochetti A, Hawes C, Romero-Puertas MC, Sandalio LM (2014). 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid promotes S-nitrosylation and oxidation of actin affecting cytoskeleton and peroxisomal dynamics. J Exp Bot, 65(17), 4783-4793. Abstract. Author URL.
Griffing LR, Gao HT, Sparkes I (2014). ER network dynamics are differentially controlled by myosins XI-K, XI-C, XI-E, XI-I, XI-1, and XI-2. Frontiers in Plant Science, 5(MAY). Abstract.
Lemarchand L, Euler R, Lin C, Sparkes I (2014). Modeling the geometry of the endoplasmic reticulum network. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 8542 LNBI, 131-145. Abstract.
Lin C, Zhang Y, Sparkes I, Ashwin P (2014). Structure and dynamics of ER: minimal networks and biophysical constraints. Biophys J, 107(3), 763-772. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Hawkins TJ, Richardson C, Cummins I, Deeks MJ, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Hussey PJ (2014). The plant cytoskeleton, NET3C, and VAP27 mediate the link between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Biol, 24(12), 1397-1405. Abstract. Author URL.
Lee H, Sparkes I, Gattolin S, Dzimitrowicz N, Roberts LM, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2013). An Arabidopsis reticulon and the atlastin homologue RHD3-like2 act together in shaping the tubular endoplasmic reticulum. New Phytologist, 197(2), 481-489. Abstract.
Werner AK, Medina-Escobar N, Zulawski M, Sparkes IA, Cao FQ, Witte CP (2013). The ureide-degrading reactions of purine ring catabolism employ three amidohydrolases and one aminohydrolase in arabidopsis, soybean, and rice. Plant Physiology, 163(2), 672-681. Abstract.
Sparkes I, Brandizzi F (2012). Fluorescent protein-based technologies: shedding new light on the plant endomembrane system. Plant J, 70(1), 96-107. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes IA, Graumann K, Martinire A, Schoberer J, Wang P, Osterrieder A (2011). Bleach it, switch it, bounce it, pull it: Using lasers to reveal plant cell dynamics. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(1), 1-7.
Francin-Allami M, Saumonneau A, Lavenant L, Bouder A, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Popineau Y (2011). Dynamic trafficking of wheat γ-gliadin and of its structural domains in tobacco cells, studied with fluorescent protein fusions. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(13), 4507-4520. Abstract.
Sparkes I, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2011). FrontiERs: movers and shapers of the higher plant cortical endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Opin Plant Biol, 14(6), 658-665. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Hummel E, Osterrieder A, Meyer AJ, Frigerio L, Sparkes I, Hawes C (2011). KMS1 and KMS2, two plant endoplasmic reticulum proteins involved in the early secretory pathway. Plant J, 66(4), 613-628. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I (2011). Recent advances in understanding plant myosin function: life in the fast lane. Mol Plant, 4(5), 805-812. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I, Tolley N, Aller I, Svozil J, Osterrieder A, Botchway S, Mueller C, Frigerio L, Hawes C (2010). Five Arabidopsis reticulon isoforms share endoplasmic reticulum location, topology, and membrane-shaping properties. Plant Cell, 22(4), 1333-1343. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes IA (2010). Motoring around the plant cell: Insights from plant myosins. Biochemical Society Transactions, 38(3), 833-838. Abstract.
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Sparkes IA, Ketelaar T (2010). Optical tweezers for the micromanipulation of plant cytoplasm and organelles. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 13(6), 731-735. Abstract.
Baker A, Sparkes IA, Brown LA, O'Leary-Steele C, Warriner SL (2010). Peroxisome biogenesis and positioning. Biochemical Society Transactions, 38(3), 807-816. Abstract.
Mitsuya S, El-Shami M, Sparkes IA, Charlton WL, Lousa CDM, Johnson B, Baker A (2010). Salt stress causes peroxisome proliferation, but inducing peroxisome proliferation does not improve NaCI tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS ONE, 5(2). Abstract.
Tolley N, Sparkes I, Craddock CP, Eastmond PJ, Runions J, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2010). Transmembrane domain length is responsible for the ability of a plant reticulon to shape endoplasmic reticulum tubules in vivo. Plant Journal, 64(3), 411-418. Abstract.
Avisar D, Abu-Abied M, Belausov E, Sadot E, Hawes C, Sparkes IA (2009). A comparative study of the involvement of 17 arabidopsis myosin family members on the motility of Golgi and other organelles. Plant Physiology, 150(2), 700-709.
Sparkes IA, Ketelaar T, De Ruijter NCA, Hawes C (2009). Grab a Golgi: Laser trapping of Golgi bodies reveals in vivo interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum. Traffic, 10(5), 567-571.
Sparkes I, Runions J, Hawes C, Griffing L (2009). Movement and remodeling of the endoplasmic reticulum in nondividing cells of tobacco leaves. Plant Cell, 21(12), 3937-3949. Abstract. Author URL.
Rodríguez-Serrano M, Romero-Puertas MC, Sparkes I, Hawes C, del Río LA, Sandalio LM (2009). Peroxisome dynamics in Arabidopsis plants under oxidative stress induced by cadmium. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 47(11), 1632-1639. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Frigerio L, Tolley N, Hawes C (2009). The plant endoplasmic reticulum: a cell-wide web. Biochemical Journal, 423(2), 145-155. Abstract.
Werner AK, Sparkes IA, Romeis T, Witte CP (2008). Identification, biochemical characterization, and subcellular localization of allantoate amidohydrolases from arabidopsis and soybean. Plant Physiology, 146(2), 418-430. Abstract.
Tolley N, Sparkes IA, Hunter PR, Craddock CP, Nuttall J, Roberts LM, Hawes C, Pedrazzini E, Frigerio L (2008). Overexpression of a plant reticulon remodels the lumen of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum but does not perturb protein transport. Traffic, 9(1), 94-102. Abstract.
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Hummel E, Sparkes I (2008). The plant ER-Golgi interface. Traffic, 9(10), 1571-1580. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes IA, Teanby NA, Hawes C (2008). Truncated myosin XI tail fusions inhibit peroxisome, Golgi, and mitochondrial movement in tobacco leaf epidermal cells: a genetic tool for the next generation. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59(9), 2499-2512. Abstract.
Scott I, Sparkes IA, Logan DC (2007). The missing link: inter-organellar connections in mitochondria and peroxisomes?. Trends in Plant Science, 12(9), 380-381.
Hadden DA, Phillipson BA, Johnston KA, Brown LA, Manfield IW, El-Shami M, Sparkes IA, Baker A (2006). Arabidopsis PEX19 is a dimeric protein that binds the peroxin PEX10. Molecular Membrane Biology, 23(4), 325-336. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Runions J, Kearns A, Hawes C (2006). Rapid, transient expression of fluorescent fusion proteins in tobacco plants and generation of stably transformed plants. Nature Protocols, 1(4), 2019-2025. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Hawes C, Baker A (2005). AtPEX2 and AtPEX10 are targeted to peroxisomes independently of known endoplasmic reticulum trafficking routes. Plant Physiology, 139(2), 690-700. Abstract.
Baker A, Sparkes IA (2005). Peroxisome protein import: Some answers, more questions. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 8(6), 640-647. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Brandizzi F, Slocombe SP, El-Shami M, Hawes C, Baker A (2003). An Arabidopsis pex10 Null Mutant is Embryo Lethal, Implicating Peroxisomes in an Essential Role during Plant Embryogenesis. Plant Physiology, 133(4), 1809-1819. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Baker A (2002). Peroxisome biogenesis and protein import in plants, animals and yeasts: Enigma and variations? (review). Molecular Membrane Biology, 19(3), 171-185. Abstract.
Baker A, Charlton W, Johnson B, Lopez-Huertas E, Oh J, Sparkes I, Thomas J (2000). Biochemical and molecular approaches to understanding protein import into peroxisomes. Biochem Soc Trans, 28(4), 499-504. Abstract. Author URL.
Chapters
Sparkes I, Gao H (2014). Plant peroxisome dynamics: Movement, positioning and connections. In (Ed) Molecular Machines Involved in Peroxisome Biogenesis and Maintenance, 461-477. Abstract.
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Sparkes I (2008). Features of the Plant Golgi Apparatus. In Mironov A (Ed) The Golgi Apparatus, Springer Wein, New York.
Publications by year
2018
Lin C, Lemarchand L, Euler R, Sparkes I (2018). Modeling the Geometry and Dynamics of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Network. IEEE/ACM Transactions on Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, 15(2), 377-386.
Sparkes I, White RR, Coles B, Botchway SW, Ward A (2018). Using Optical Tweezers Combined with Total Internal Reflection Microscopy to Study Interactions Between the ER and Golgi in Plant Cells. Methods Mol Biol, 1691, 167-178. Abstract. Author URL.
2017
Bayer EM, Sparkes I, Vanneste S, Rosado A (2017). From shaping organelles to signalling platforms: the emerging functions of plant ER–PM contact sites. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 40, 89-96. Abstract.
Lin C, White RR, Sparkes I, Ashwin PB (2017). Modelling endoplasmic reticulum network maintenance in a plant cell. Biophysical Journal, 113, 214-222.
Griffing LR, Lin C, Perico C, White RR, Sparkes I (2017). Plant ER geometry and dynamics: biophysical and cytoskeletal control during growth and biotic response. Protoplasma, 254(1), 43-56. Abstract. Author URL.
Osterrieder A, Sparkes IA, Botchway SW, Ward A, Ketelaar T, de Ruijter N, Hawes C (2017). Stacks off tracks: a role for the golgin AtCASP in plant endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus tethering. Journal of Experimental Botany, 68(13), 3339-3350.
2016
Gao H, Metz J, Teanby NA, Ward AD, Botchway SW, Coles B, Pollard MR, Sparkes I (2016). In Vivo Quantification of Peroxisome Tethering to Chloroplasts in Tobacco Epidermal Cells Using Optical Tweezers. Plant Physiol, 170(1), 263-272. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Richardson C, Hawkins TJ, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Hussey PJ (2016). Plant<scp>VAP</scp>27 proteins: domain characterization, intracellular localization and role in plant development. New Phytologist, 210(4), 1311-1326.
Sparkes I (2016). Using Optical Tweezers to Characterize Physical Tethers at Membrane Contact Sites: Grab it, Pull it, Set it Free?. Front Cell Dev Biol, 4 Author URL.
2015
Knox K, Wang P, Kriechbaumer V, Tilsner J, Frigerio L, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Oparka K (2015). Putting the Squeeze on Plasmodesmata: a Role for Reticulons in Primary Plasmodesmata Formation. Plant Physiol, 168(4), 1563-1572. Abstract. Author URL.
2014
Rodríguez-Serrano M, Pazmiño DM, Sparkes I, Rochetti A, Hawes C, Romero-Puertas MC, Sandalio LM (2014). 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid promotes S-nitrosylation and oxidation of actin affecting cytoskeleton and peroxisomal dynamics. J Exp Bot, 65(17), 4783-4793. Abstract. Author URL.
Griffing LR, Gao HT, Sparkes I (2014). ER network dynamics are differentially controlled by myosins XI-K, XI-C, XI-E, XI-I, XI-1, and XI-2. Frontiers in Plant Science, 5(MAY). Abstract.
Lemarchand L, Euler R, Lin C, Sparkes I (2014). Modeling the geometry of the endoplasmic reticulum network. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 8542 LNBI, 131-145. Abstract.
Sparkes I, Gao H (2014). Plant peroxisome dynamics: Movement, positioning and connections. In (Ed) Molecular Machines Involved in Peroxisome Biogenesis and Maintenance, 461-477. Abstract.
Lin C, Zhang Y, Sparkes I, Ashwin P (2014). Structure and dynamics of ER: minimal networks and biophysical constraints. Biophys J, 107(3), 763-772. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Hawkins TJ, Richardson C, Cummins I, Deeks MJ, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Hussey PJ (2014). The plant cytoskeleton, NET3C, and VAP27 mediate the link between the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Biol, 24(12), 1397-1405. Abstract. Author URL.
2013
Lee H, Sparkes I, Gattolin S, Dzimitrowicz N, Roberts LM, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2013). An Arabidopsis reticulon and the atlastin homologue RHD3-like2 act together in shaping the tubular endoplasmic reticulum. New Phytologist, 197(2), 481-489. Abstract.
Werner AK, Medina-Escobar N, Zulawski M, Sparkes IA, Cao FQ, Witte CP (2013). The ureide-degrading reactions of purine ring catabolism employ three amidohydrolases and one aminohydrolase in arabidopsis, soybean, and rice. Plant Physiology, 163(2), 672-681. Abstract.
2012
Sparkes I, Brandizzi F (2012). Fluorescent protein-based technologies: shedding new light on the plant endomembrane system. Plant J, 70(1), 96-107. Abstract. Author URL.
2011
Sparkes IA, Graumann K, Martinire A, Schoberer J, Wang P, Osterrieder A (2011). Bleach it, switch it, bounce it, pull it: Using lasers to reveal plant cell dynamics. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(1), 1-7.
Francin-Allami M, Saumonneau A, Lavenant L, Bouder A, Sparkes I, Hawes C, Popineau Y (2011). Dynamic trafficking of wheat γ-gliadin and of its structural domains in tobacco cells, studied with fluorescent protein fusions. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62(13), 4507-4520. Abstract.
Sparkes I, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2011). FrontiERs: movers and shapers of the higher plant cortical endoplasmic reticulum. Curr Opin Plant Biol, 14(6), 658-665. Abstract. Author URL.
Wang P, Hummel E, Osterrieder A, Meyer AJ, Frigerio L, Sparkes I, Hawes C (2011). KMS1 and KMS2, two plant endoplasmic reticulum proteins involved in the early secretory pathway. Plant J, 66(4), 613-628. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes I (2011). Recent advances in understanding plant myosin function: life in the fast lane. Mol Plant, 4(5), 805-812. Abstract. Author URL.
2010
Sparkes I, Tolley N, Aller I, Svozil J, Osterrieder A, Botchway S, Mueller C, Frigerio L, Hawes C (2010). Five Arabidopsis reticulon isoforms share endoplasmic reticulum location, topology, and membrane-shaping properties. Plant Cell, 22(4), 1333-1343. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes IA (2010). Motoring around the plant cell: Insights from plant myosins. Biochemical Society Transactions, 38(3), 833-838. Abstract.
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Sparkes IA, Ketelaar T (2010). Optical tweezers for the micromanipulation of plant cytoplasm and organelles. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 13(6), 731-735. Abstract.
Baker A, Sparkes IA, Brown LA, O'Leary-Steele C, Warriner SL (2010). Peroxisome biogenesis and positioning. Biochemical Society Transactions, 38(3), 807-816. Abstract.
Mitsuya S, El-Shami M, Sparkes IA, Charlton WL, Lousa CDM, Johnson B, Baker A (2010). Salt stress causes peroxisome proliferation, but inducing peroxisome proliferation does not improve NaCI tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS ONE, 5(2). Abstract.
Tolley N, Sparkes I, Craddock CP, Eastmond PJ, Runions J, Hawes C, Frigerio L (2010). Transmembrane domain length is responsible for the ability of a plant reticulon to shape endoplasmic reticulum tubules in vivo. Plant Journal, 64(3), 411-418. Abstract.
2009
Avisar D, Abu-Abied M, Belausov E, Sadot E, Hawes C, Sparkes IA (2009). A comparative study of the involvement of 17 arabidopsis myosin family members on the motility of Golgi and other organelles. Plant Physiology, 150(2), 700-709.
Sparkes IA, Ketelaar T, De Ruijter NCA, Hawes C (2009). Grab a Golgi: Laser trapping of Golgi bodies reveals in vivo interactions with the endoplasmic reticulum. Traffic, 10(5), 567-571.
Sparkes I, Runions J, Hawes C, Griffing L (2009). Movement and remodeling of the endoplasmic reticulum in nondividing cells of tobacco leaves. Plant Cell, 21(12), 3937-3949. Abstract. Author URL.
Rodríguez-Serrano M, Romero-Puertas MC, Sparkes I, Hawes C, del Río LA, Sandalio LM (2009). Peroxisome dynamics in Arabidopsis plants under oxidative stress induced by cadmium. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 47(11), 1632-1639. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Frigerio L, Tolley N, Hawes C (2009). The plant endoplasmic reticulum: a cell-wide web. Biochemical Journal, 423(2), 145-155. Abstract.
2008
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Sparkes I (2008). Features of the Plant Golgi Apparatus. In Mironov A (Ed) The Golgi Apparatus, Springer Wein, New York.
Werner AK, Sparkes IA, Romeis T, Witte CP (2008). Identification, biochemical characterization, and subcellular localization of allantoate amidohydrolases from arabidopsis and soybean. Plant Physiology, 146(2), 418-430. Abstract.
Tolley N, Sparkes IA, Hunter PR, Craddock CP, Nuttall J, Roberts LM, Hawes C, Pedrazzini E, Frigerio L (2008). Overexpression of a plant reticulon remodels the lumen of the cortical endoplasmic reticulum but does not perturb protein transport. Traffic, 9(1), 94-102. Abstract.
Hawes C, Osterrieder A, Hummel E, Sparkes I (2008). The plant ER-Golgi interface. Traffic, 9(10), 1571-1580. Abstract. Author URL.
Sparkes IA, Teanby NA, Hawes C (2008). Truncated myosin XI tail fusions inhibit peroxisome, Golgi, and mitochondrial movement in tobacco leaf epidermal cells: a genetic tool for the next generation. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59(9), 2499-2512. Abstract.
2007
Scott I, Sparkes IA, Logan DC (2007). The missing link: inter-organellar connections in mitochondria and peroxisomes?. Trends in Plant Science, 12(9), 380-381.
2006
Hadden DA, Phillipson BA, Johnston KA, Brown LA, Manfield IW, El-Shami M, Sparkes IA, Baker A (2006). Arabidopsis PEX19 is a dimeric protein that binds the peroxin PEX10. Molecular Membrane Biology, 23(4), 325-336. Abstract.
Sparkes IA, Runions J, Kearns A, Hawes C (2006). Rapid, transient expression of fluorescent fusion proteins in tobacco plants and generation of stably transformed plants. Nature Protocols, 1(4), 2019-2025. Abstract.
2005
Sparkes IA, Hawes C, Baker A (2005). AtPEX2 and AtPEX10 are targeted to peroxisomes independently of known endoplasmic reticulum trafficking routes. Plant Physiology, 139(2), 690-700. Abstract.
Baker A, Sparkes IA (2005). Peroxisome protein import: Some answers, more questions. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 8(6), 640-647. Abstract.
2003
Sparkes IA, Brandizzi F, Slocombe SP, El-Shami M, Hawes C, Baker A (2003). An Arabidopsis pex10 Null Mutant is Embryo Lethal, Implicating Peroxisomes in an Essential Role during Plant Embryogenesis. Plant Physiology, 133(4), 1809-1819. Abstract.
2002
Sparkes IA, Baker A (2002). Peroxisome biogenesis and protein import in plants, animals and yeasts: Enigma and variations? (review). Molecular Membrane Biology, 19(3), 171-185. Abstract.
2000
Baker A, Charlton W, Johnson B, Lopez-Huertas E, Oh J, Sparkes I, Thomas J (2000). Biochemical and molecular approaches to understanding protein import into peroxisomes. Biochem Soc Trans, 28(4), 499-504. Abstract. Author URL.
Imogen_Sparkes Details from cache as at 2022-08-07 09:14:30
External Engagement and Impact
Committee/panel activities
Royal Microscopy Society, Life Sciences committee member (elected member)
Editorial responsibilities
Review editor for Frontiers in Plant Cell Biology, and review manuscripts for The Plant Cell, Plant Journal, Plant Physiology, Traffic, Journal of Experimental Botany and New Phytologist.
Co-editor for special edition of Molecular Plant on 'Cellular dynamics' (2011)
Invited lectures
Linnean Society, Irene Manton lecture (2015)
Royal Microscopy Society, Botanical Microscopy conference, Exeter (2015)
Society for Experimental Biology annual meeting, Manchester (2014)
BioDynamics workshop, Exeter (2014)
Warwick University seminar series (2013)
IFR 87, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France (2013) The Plant and its environment
Knoxville University, USA (2011) NIMBIOS workshop ‘Mathematical modeling of intracellular movements’.
Texas A and M University, Texas, USA (2011) seminar series
University of Leeds, UK (2011) seminar series
University of Warwick, UK (2008) MOAC and systems biology centre seminar series
Teaching
Modules
2021/22
Information not currently available
Supervision / Group
Postdoctoral researchers
- Dr Congping Lin
- Dr Rhiannon White
Postgraduate researchers
- Petra Kiviniemi (Co-supervised with Prof. Chris Hawes, Oxford Brookes University)
- Chiara Perico
Alumni
- Dr Hongbo Gao