RESEARCH PROFILE

Plant viruses are a major constraint limiting crop production worldwide, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Withdrawal of pesticide active ingredients is likely to exacerbate problems in developed countries. Plant viruses are responsible for 47% of new/emerging infectious diseases of plants (fungi 30%, bacteria 16%).

Current Research Interests:

Our group has a diverse research programme ranging from fundamental research through translational to very applied research directly relevant to growers.

BACKGROUND

John studied Applied Biology at Leeds University and then went on to a co-operative award PhD at Rothamsted Experimental Station (now Rothamsted Research) and Leeds University in Plant Pathology. During his PhD studies, John was awarded the Best Student Paper Award, from the Society of Nematologists at their meeting in Salt Lake City. This was followed by a Potato Marketing Board postdoctoral fellowship at Rothamsted. John joined HRI in 1983 and is currently group leader for the Plant Virus Interactions group. This group has a broad range of research projects from Applied, through Strategic to Fundamental, funded from a wide variety of sources. The underlying aim is to provide environmentally friendly sustainable disease control measures whilst at the same time reducing inputs.

John has served his field as a member of the Association of Applied Biologists, Virology Group Committee, secretary to the International Society for Horticultural Science, Vegetable Virus Working Group, SGM Virology Division Committee and NERC Peer Review College. He is also an editor for the Annals of Applied Biology and the European Journal of Plant Pathology. John is President Elect of the International Working Group for Legume and Vegetable Viruses.

John's group have had a number of products commercialised including germplasm possessing resistance genes to plant viruses and diagnostic reagents for detection of plant viruses and protists.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Exploiting sources of resistance to turnip yellow virus for deployment in oilseed - CIRC proposal, with Dr Graham R Teakle - Life Sciences Dr Guy C Barker - Life Sciences, Funded by: BBSRC, Project Start Date: 01/04/2011 Project End Date: 31/03/2015
• The incidence of turnip yellow virus (TuYV) in over wintered cauliflower and brussel sprouts, Funded by: AHDB (Formerly HDC), Project Start Date: 01/05/2010 Project End Date: 30/04/2013
• Brassica and lettuce propagation: Scaling up means of controlling clubroot resting spores in trays to avoid infection of transplants., Funded by: AHDB (Formerly HDC), Project Start Date: 01/04/2011 Project End Date: 31/01/2013
• Amendment to RLFJW0502 (26890) "The time of infection of overwintered cauliflower and Brussels sprout by Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) and the potential of insecticides to control the virus" (FV365a), with Dr Julie E Jones - Warwick HRI Dr Rosemary H Collier - Life Sciences, Funded by: AHDB (Formerly HDC), Project Start Date: 01/04/2011 Project End Date: 31/05/2012
  
  

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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• Lewsey, M., Surette, M., Robertson, F. C., Ziebell, H., Choi, S. H., Ryu, K. H., Canto, T., Palukaitis, P., Payne, T., Walsh, J. A. and Carr, J. P.(2009) 'The role of the cucumber mosaic virus 2b protein in viral movement and symptom induction' Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 22 (6), 642 - 654 (0894-0282) [article]
• Walsh, J.A., Rusholme, R.L., Higgins, E.E., Lydiate, D.J. (2007) 'Genetic control of broad-spectrum resistance to turnip mosaic virus in Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage) ' Journal Of General Virology 88 (11), 3177 - 3186 (0022-1317)
• Ziebell, H., Payne, T., Berry, J. O., Walsh, J. A. and Carr, J. P.(2007) 'A cucumber mosaic virus mutant lacking the 2b counter-defence protein gene provides protection against wild-type strains.' Journal Of General Virology 88 2862 - 2871 (0022-1317)
• Jenner, C.E., Wang, X., Tomimura, K., Oshima, K., Ponz, F. & Walsh,J.A.(2003) 'The dual role of the potyvirus P3 protein of Turnip mosaic virus as a symptom and avirulence determinant in brassicas' Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 16 (9), 777 - 784 (0894-0282)
• Walsh J.A., Jenner C.E.(2002) '"Turnip mosaic virus" and the quest for durable resistance' Molecular Plant Pathology 3 289 - 300 (1464-6722)

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RESEARCH DEGREES SUPERVISED

• Interaction of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) with members of the Brassicaceae.
• Brassicaceae - Turnip yellows virus interactions.
• Deploying virus resistance in brassicas and understanding the interaction between the viral VPg protein and brassica eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E proteins.