Lesley Boyd

The work of the research group headed by Dr. Lesley A. Boyd investigates the genetics and biology of cereal fungal pathogen interactions, with past work focusing on the wheat-yellow rust interaction (Boyd, 2005).

A major focus of the group has been the genetic and biological dissection of yellow rust (also known as stripe rust) resistance in wheat. National and international programs have characterised the genetic biodiversity of yellow rust resistance in national wheat germplasm collections. Microscopic studies have examined the biology of the wheat-yellow rust interaction, with particularly focus on durable sources of resistance in wheat (Boyd, 2006).

New areas of research include the genetics and biology of non-host resistance, using the wheat-Magnaporthe grisea and Puccinia triticina systems, and Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) in cereals, modelled on DIR1-mediated SAR found in Arabidopsis (www.jic.ac.uk/staff/lesley-boyd/index.htm).

Much of the work undertaken in the group of Dr. Lesley A. Boyd has involved collaborations with scientists from less developed countries. JIC is keen to support and mentor science and scientists from less developed countries and a program is being established that will allow an expansion of JIC’s involvement in collaborative projects that support international development. This International Development Initiative is being co-ordinated by Dr Lesley A. Boyd.

Genetic biodiversity of yellow rust resistance in wheat

Non-host resistance in wheat

Systemic aquired resistance in cereals

DIR1-mediated SAR, characterised in Arabidopsis thaliana, is being used as the starting point to study SAR in cereals. This program started in October 2005 and addresses the transfer of fundamental research in model plant species into crops.