
Jones JD, Witek K, Verweij W, Jupe F, Cooke D, Dorling S, Tomlinson L, Smoker M, Perkins S, Foster S (2014)
Elevating crop disease resistance with cloned genes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 369 20130087
Read moreAs Laboratory manager for The Sainsbury Laboratory I am responsible for providing the research environment in which TSL scientists conduct their research. My responsibilities include management of the service teams which support the laboratory, maintenance of cutting-edge scientific equipment, implementation of new technologies, negotiation with suppliers and compliance with Health and Safety, radioactivity and hazardous chemicals regulations.
I have a background in laboratory research, specifically in the field of plant-pathogen interactions. Most recently my research concerned the cloning of resistance genes against Phytophthora infestans (late blight of potato). During 2010-2012 I was responsible for overseeing the running of a field trial of GM potatoes, the purpose of which was to test the efficacy of one such cloned gene.
I have also worked on various molecular aspects of important host/pathogen systems, including work on fungal pathogens of oilseed rape (Pyrenopeziza brassicae, Leptosphaeria maculans), barley (Rhynchosporium secalis) and perennial ryegrass (Epichloë festucae).
simon.foster@tsl.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1603 450431
Research ID: G-3588-2014
Elevating crop disease resistance with cloned genes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 369 20130087
Read moreAbundant degenerate miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in genomes of Epichloid fungal endophytes of grasses. Genome Biology & Evolution 3:1253-1264.
Amplification of fungal genomes using multiple displacement amplification. Methods in Molecular Biology 638:175-185.
Mapping and cloning of late blight resistance genes from Solanum venturii using an interspecific candidate gene approach. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22:601-615.
Rpi-vnt1.1, a TM-22 homology from Solanum venturii, confers resistance to potato late blight. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22:589-600.
Two distinct potato late blight resistance genes from Solanum berthaultii are located on chromosome 10. Euphytica 165:269-278.
Expressing a gene encoding wheat oxalate oxidase enhances resistance to Sclerotinia slerorotiorum in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Planta 2:331-340.
Functional analysis of a fungal endophyte stress-activated MAP kinase. Current Genetics 53:163-174.
Comparison of Leptosphaeria biglobosa-induced and chemically induced systemic resistance to L. maculans in Brassica napus. Chinese Science Bulletin 52:1053-1062.
Ascorbate oxidase-dependent changes in the redox state of the apoplast modulate gene transcript accumulation leading to modified hormone signaling and orchestration of defense processes in tobacco. Plant Physiology 141:423-435.
Molecular diagnostic tools for detection of plant pathogenic fungi. In: Rao JR, Flening CC, Moore JE (eds) Molecular Diagnostics: Current Technology and Applications. Horizon Scientific Press, Norwich, UK.
Visual and PCR assessment of light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) cultivars. Plant Pathology 55:387-400.
Resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) in Brassica napus (oilseed rape) induced by L. biglobosa and chemical defence activators in field and controlled environments. Plant Pathology 55:401-412.
Genomics of the filamentous fungi – moving from the shadow of the bakers yeast. Mycologist 20: 10-14
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of Leptosphaeria spp. and Oculimacula spp. with the reef coral gene DsRed and the jellyfish gene gfp. FEMS Microbiology Letters 253: 67-74.
Whole genome amplification from filamentous fungi using Phi29-mediated multiple displacement amplification (MDA). Fungal Genetics and Biology 42: 367-375.
Plant pathogen diagnostics: immunological and nucleic acid-based approaches. Annals of Applied Biology 145: 1-16.
Comparative epidemiology of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) ascospores and conidia from Polish and UK populations. Plant Pathology 53: 29-37.
Isolation and characterisation of the mating type (MAT) locus from Rhynchosporium secalis. Current Genetics 44: 277-286.
Molecular diagnostics for fungal plant pathogens. Pest Management Science 59: 129-142.
Improved PCR-based assays for pre-symptomatic diagnosis of light leaf spot and determination of mating type of Pyrenopeziza brassicae on winter oilseed rape. European Journal of Plant Pathology 108: 379-383.
Detection of airborne inoculum of Leptosphaeria maculans and Pyrenopeziza brassicae in oilseed rape crops by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Plant Pathology 51: 303-310.
Evidence for a role of cutinase in pathogenicity of Pyrenopeziza brassicae on brassicas. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 57: 63-75.
Development of PCR based diagnostic techniques for the two mating types of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot) on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus subsp. oleifera). Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 55: 111-119.
2007 – present Laboratory Manager, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK.
2005 – 2007 Postdoctoral Scientist, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, UK.
2003 – 2005 Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, New Zealand.
1999 – 2003 Postdoctoral Scientist, Rothamsted Research, UK.
1996 – 2000 PhD Student, University of Cambridge & Rothamsted Research, UK.
1992 – 1996 Undergraduate Degree (Biology), University of Nottingham, UK.