• Philip Wigge's Research

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Curriculum Vitae

• 1996: MBiochem First Class, Oxford University, UK
• 2000: PhD, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
• 2000-2002: Wellcome Trust International Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute, CA, USA
• 2002-2004: Junior Group Leader, Max Planck Institute, Tuebingen, Germany
• 2005- Project Leader, JIC, UK

Philip Wigge

Project Leader

Cell & Developmental Biology

Contact details

Tel: +44 (0)1603 450576
philip.wigge@jic.ac.uk

Research interests

 Temperature Perception and Development

We study how plants sense changes in environmental conditions, particularly ambient temperature, and how these signals are integrated into development. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, we have performed genetic screens to identify mutants in key regulatory components of the temperature sensing pathways. Interestingly, many of these lines have altered growth, indicating the importance of integrating temperature sensing signals into plant development. Our work has revealed a novel role for chromatin structure in mediating temperature signals, and we are extending this work to try to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature perception.

A major developmental response strongly influenced by ambient temperature is the floral transition. We are studying how the flowering pathways interact with ambient temperature and the underlying mechanisms. We are complementing molecular genetics with modelling approaches in collaboration with the Richard Morris group (JIC) to understand the regulatory logic underpinning the floral transition.

In addition to Arabidopsis thaliana, we work with the model monocot, Brachypodium distachyon. Brachypodium has the advantage of a fully sequenced genome and excellent genetics. Advances in Brachypodium will help us understand how crop plants such as wheat and rice are responding to climate change.