James Canham

James’ research is concerned with the interaction between herbivorous insects and plants and focuses on the molecular exchange that allows a plant to perceive the insect and mediate a successful defence response.

Using the model study system of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae and Arabidopsis thaliana, and the exploitation of techniques such as genetic screens, microscopy and proteomics, James aims to identify novel components of plant immunity as well as insect elicitors of plant defences.

M. persicae is a damaging plant pest capable of transmitting more than 100 different plant viruses to a broad range of plant species, including economically important crops in the UK and worldwide

By understanding these elaborate plant defence strategies to insects, he hopes to identify genetic resistance in crops.