Overview

Our group’s research exploits recent advances in transcriptomics, genomics and post-genomic functional approaches to understand adaptive evolution in insects. A significant focus of our work is understanding how insects detoxify the natural and synthetic xenobiotics they encounter in the environment. This includes both plant secondary metabolites and man-made insecticides.

Qualifications

2004 PhD Insect Molecular Biology (University of Nottingham/Rothamsted Research)
2000 Biology (University of Nottingham)

Career

2016 – present Chair in Applied Entomology – University of Exeter

2015 – present ERC Consolidator Fellow

2014 – 2015 Principal Research Scientist– Rothamsted Research

2009 – 2014 BBSRC Institute Career Path Fellow

2004 – 2009 Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Rothamsted Research

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Research

Research interests

Our group's research aims to understand the molecular basis of adaptive traits in insects, with our primary interest the evolution of insect resistance to natural and synthetic insecticides. Whenever possible we translate this knowledge into tools and strategies to prevent, slow or overcome the development of resistance in pest insects. In addition to our work on crop pests we also aim to understand the intrinsic resistance of beneficial insects to insecticides, specifically bee pollinators. Finally we collaborate with colleagues in the UK and internationally to bring our expertise to the study of other evolutionary traits in insects.

Research themes

A. The evolution of metabolic resistance to synthetic and natural xenobiotics in crop pests

Our research in this theme aims to understand, at a molecular level, how a number of economically important crop pests evolve resistance to synthetic insecticides and the toxic secondary metabolites produced by the plants they feed on. This often involves the study of large superfamilies of metabolic enzymes, such as cytochrome P450s, that insects frequently use to detoxify xenobiotics. We work on a number of different insect species with the aphid, Myzus persicae, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens and the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta long-term models in our research.

Some of the questions our research on this topic aims to address are:

What enzymes are over-expressed in xenobiotic resistant strains in the field – how do they confer resistance?

What are the drivers of quantitative changes in detox gene expression in resistant insects (initial genomic changes)?

What is the relationship between host-adaptation and insecticide resistance – are their differences in polyphagous and monophagous insect species?

What is the role of qualitative changes in detoxification enzymes in resistance?

What can knowledge of the above teach us about evolution, gene regulation and protein structure/function?

B. The molecular basis of insecticide detoxification in bee pollinators

In this research theme we aim to understand the molecular basis of the intrinsic tolerance of bee pollinators to certain insecticides and the genes/proteins that determine sensitivity. An understanding of why certain insecticides are highly toxic to pest insects but not bees can be harnessed in the development of bee-safe insecticides (see current funding for ongoing projects on this topic).

C. Development of tools and approaches to study and combat resistance

Whenever possible we translate our fundamental research findings into tools and strategies to prevent, slow or overcome resistance. These include the development of DNA-based diagnostics to monitor the frequency and distribution of resistance, the development of inhibitors of the detoxification genes overexpressed in resistant insects and in vivo and in vitro screening tools which can be used to identify resistance breaking chemistry. In our research on this theme we have recently exploited the transgenic overexpression of crop pest (and bee) detoxification genes and gene editing (using CRISPR/Cas9) in Drosophila melanogaster.

D. Collaborations on other adaptive traits in insects

We collaborate with several other individuals/groups to bring our expertise to the study of other traits in insects. This includes both crop pests and disease vectors. Current example collaborations include:

Dr Chris Jones (BBSRC Future Leader Fellow)/ Dr Jason Chapman (Rothamsted Research) – the genetic basis of migration in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.

Deepa Paliwal (PhD student)/Dr Rob Jackson (University of Reading) – exploiting aphid killing bacteria

Research funding

Sustainable control of highly invasive pests (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IRSES, Feb 13-17)

A genomic approach to understanding insecticide resistance in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) (BBSRC/Syngenta – Industrial CASE award, Oct 12-16) Supervisor with: Lin Field, Martin Williamson (Rothamsted) and Mark Paine (LSTM)

Aphid killing bacteria: how do they work and how can we exploit them? (University of Reading/Bayer, Oct 12-16)  Supervisor with: Rob Jackson (PI - University of Reading), Lin Field and Tim Mauchline (Rothamsted)

Investigating the breakdown of chemical control in brown planthoppers from Asia (Bayer, Oct 13-17) Supervisor with: Emyr Davies (PI), Martin Williamson, Lin Field (Rothamsted) and Hilary Ranson (LSTM)

Bee toxicogenomics (Bayer, Jun 14-17) with Ralf Nauen (Bayer), Emyr Davies, Martin Williamson, Lin Field (Rothamsted)

The biological and molecular factors influencing the control of two whitefly species (Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporium) on different host plants (BBSRC /Syngenta - Industrial CASE award, Oct 14-18) Supervisor with: Emyr Davies, Martin Williamson, Lin Field (Rothamsted) and Richard ffrench-Constant (Exeter)

Understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of insecticide selectivity against solitary bee pollinators (BBSRC/Bayer – Industrial CASE award, Oct 14-18) Supervisor with: Emyr Davies, Martin Williamson, Lin Field (Rothamsted) and Craig Wilding (Liverpool John Moores University)

Understanding and Exploiting the P450 Resistome –P450RESIST (ERC Consolidator Fellowship, Jan 16-21)

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External Engagement and Impact

Committee/panel activities

2003 – present Science Ambassador under the UKs Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network  (STEMNET’s) flagship programme. This involves science communication both in schools and at Rothamsted.

2008 – present Elected Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society

Editorial responsibilities

2004 – present Reviewer for >30 international journals. Reviewer for several national funding bodies including EU –H2020, BBSRC, MRC (UK), DFG (Germany), ANR (France).

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Teaching

Modules

2023/24

• BIO1411 - Genetics
• BIO2441 - Applied Insect Ecology

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Supervision / Group

Postdoctoral researchers

Postgraduate researchers

Research Technicians

Alumni

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Office Hours:

Tuesday 15:00 - 16:00

Thursday 13:00 - 14:00

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