The Sainsbury Laboratory

The 2Blades group perform translational research leveraging the advanced understanding of molecular host-pathogen interactions at TSL to deliver new solutions against relevant plant diseases.

Publications

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- Published: 26.01.25
Authors: Ferreira EG, Inoue Y, Murithi HM, Nardwattanawong T, Cheema J, Grootens R, Paes SA, Mahuku G, Joosten MHAJ, Hartman G, Yamaoka Y, Aime MC, Brommonschenkel SH, van Esse HP, Gupta YK (2025)

The dominant lineage of Phakopsora pachyrhizi in the United States of America does not have a Brazilian origin
- Published: 30.01.25
Authors: Silva ACD, Gregorio da Silva DC, Ferreira EGC, Abdelnoor RV, Borém A, Arias CA, Oliveira MF, Oliveira MEF, Marcelino-Guimarães FC (2025)

Genetic diversity, population structure in a historical panel of Brazilian soybean cultivars
- Published: 15.11.24
Authors: Sharma D, Avni R, Gutierrez-Gonzalez J, Kumar R, Sela H, Prusty MR, Shatil-Cohen A, Molnár I, Holušová K, Said M, Doležel J, Millet E, Khazan-Kost S, Landau U, Bethke G, Sharon O, Ezrati S, Ronen M, Maatuk O, Eilam T, Manisterski J, Ben-Yehuda P, Anikster Y, Matny O, Steffenson BJ, Mascher M, Brabham HJ, Moscou MJ, Liang Y, Yu G, Wulff BBH, Muehlbauer G, Minz-Dub A, Sharon A (2024)

A single NLR gene confers resistance to leaf and stripe rust in wheat

Group leader

Kamil Witek

Bio

Kamil joined the 2Blades Group in The Sainsbury Laboratory in 2019, and in March 2023 was promoted to Group Leader. As a team leader, Kamil focused on using natural plant diversity and state-of-the-art technologies to develop durable genetic resistance to Asian Soybean Rust and devastating corn diseases in collaboration with industry. Currently, the group he leads is aiming at delivering ASR resistant soybean for smallholders in Africa. Before joining the 2Blades group, Kamil spent nine years as a post-doctoral researcher in Prof. Jonathan Jones’ group at The Sainsbury Laboratory, where he created germplasm collections and developed novel techniques to clone a variety of functional plant immune receptors. Kamil was awarded his PhD by Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics PAS in Poland, where he studied interactions between potato and major viral pathogens.

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