The lab is currently interested in the following areas of research
1) Host-pathogen interactions between Bt and its insect target
We are interested in the both the mechanism of action of the Bt cell and its toxins and in the response of the insect to intoxication. We have recently been looking at the role of gut bacteria within the insect and also other known detoxifying agents such as esterases.
2) Development of resistance to Bt insecticides
As with synthetic insecticides insects will develop resistance to Bt toxins upon prolonged exposure. We are interested in the mechanism of resistance within the insect and also in strategies that can be used to prevent or overcome resistance.
3) Discovery and creation of improved Bt strains and toxins
We collaborate with a number of groups in the characterization of new strains and toxins and are also using protein engineering in an attempt to improve existing toxins. Recently we have started looking at the potential of both in vivo and in vitro directed evolution.
4) Anti-cancer activity of Bt strains and toxins
A number of Bt toxins (the parasporins) have been shown to possess specific cytotoxicity towards cancer cell lines. We have been attempting to characterise a number of these toxins.
5) Studying the environmental impact of Bt products
Using molecular and bioinformatic tools we are interesting in building models that can better predict the effect of Bt-crops and other products on non-target organisms.
For many of the above areas we have collaborated with the following groups/labs
Raymond Lab, University of Exeter, UK
Institute of Plant Protection, CAAS, Beijing, China
Bonning Lab, University of Florida, USA
Berry Lab, Cardiff University, Wales
Faculty of Agricultural Science, UNESP, Brazil
Baxter Lab, Adelaide, Australia
Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, CAAS, Beijing, China
State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Wuhan, China
Haide Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya City, China
Wright Lab, Imperial College, UK
Instituto de Biotecnología, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellin, Colombia
Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan