Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial root vegetable in the nightshade plant family. It is one of the most important food crops, serving as a dietary staple for over one billion people around the world.
Fighting off disease
Plants face a continual threat from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, and have a complex and powerful immune system. However, it is different to our own: instead of having specialised immune cells, every plant cell produces proteins which detect the presence of pathogens, in a system known as innate immunity. Every plant cell can then react independently to infection.
This strategy is highly effective, but pathogens have developed ways of overcoming this innate immunity and invading the plant. This can lead to the development of disease.
Lida uses tobacco plants to test the function of genes involved in plant disease resistance. Fluorescence makes the effects easier to see.
Protecting a staple crop
Potato plants can be infected by bacteria, viruses, nematode worms and other pathogens. While we know the principles behind plant disease resistance, the specifics of innate immunity in potato are not well understood. Investigating the interplay between potato plants and the pathogens which infect them will help us develop measures to safeguard the crop from disease.
Lida Derevnina (Crop Science Centre)
Lida is intrigued by how pathogens can manipulate the plant immune system to bypass its defences and cause disease. She is working to understand the signals between pathogens and plants, enabling her to develop new ways to reduce crop losses and ensure sustainable global food production. Lida is excited to conduct her research at the Crop Science Centre, a coalition between the University of Cambridge and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany that aims to improve staple crops.
Next: Nynke Blömer (Wildflower landscapes)
Return to the trail homepage…