The Department of Biology has a strong, high-profile and well-supported (BBSRC, NERC and Royal Society) focus on Plant Biology that integrates with the Genomic Science and Molecular and Cellular Biosciences themes within the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology.

A synergy of expertise in genetics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology is used to dissect complex processes in growth (vegetative and reproductive), development and evolution exploiting important plant models and crop species. Research encompasses environmental signalling, epigenetics, gene regulation, protein import, sexual reproduction, genome organisation and evolution.

Collectively the group possess a wide range of technical expertise that includes: genetic, epigenetic and cytogenetic analysis, in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry, map-based cloning and gene-tagging, transgenic analysis, microarray hybridisation and transcriptomics, protein expression and interactions, fluorescent-protein imaging and electron microscopy. 

Research in the Department is supported by excellent facilities including a photobiology suite, dedicated growth rooms, greenhouses (including transgenic growth facilities and Botanical Gardens), herbarium and an advanced microscopy unit. Our research directly informs our teaching in modules including:

• BS-1003, Cell and Developmental Biology
• BS-1012, Animal and Plant Diversity
• BS-1013, Animal and Plant Physiology
• BS-2025, Developmental Biology
• BS-3018, Genes and Development

Final-year students can carry out practical or library-based projects with the research groups.

Research Themes

Genetics and cell biology of development

• Dr Sinead Drea: Development and evolution of flower and fruit
• Professor Paul Jarvis: The protein import machinery of chloroplasts; transposons
• Professor David Twell: Genetic regulation of development, plant sexual reproduction

Genome organisation and evolution

• Dr John Bailey: Plant cyto-taxonomy and alien invasive plants
• Dr Richard Gornall: Plant taxonomy and evolution
• Professor Pat Heslop-Harrison: Molecular cytogenetics, genome organisation
• Dr Trude Schwarzacher: Genome organisation and epigenetic mechanisms in polyploids

Selected Publications