Dr Rachel Wells
Senior Scientist Building Robustness in Crops (BRiC), Advancing Plant Health (APH) , BRAVO Project Manager
Rachel is the Project Manager for the BBSRC SLoLa Brassica and Rapeseed And Vegetable Optimisation (BRAVO) project.
BRAVO is working to understand the gene networks controlling developmental transitions, from vegetative growth, through to flowering and seed production.
Brassicas in both the form of oilseed rape and as vegetables are key UK crops with an annual UK market value in excess of £800m.
Rachel’s current work involves the utilisation of both natural and induced genetic variation and facilitating the translation of research from model species to crops.
She promotes research using Brassica genetic resources in collaboration with industry, research institutes and academia.
Current collaborations include gene network models for flowering (Judith Irwin/Richard Morris), PAMP triggered immunity (Chris Ridout) and germination, early development, growth and vigour (Steven Penfield).
Rachel’s personal research interest is in Brassica pests with a focus on cabbage stem flea beetle.
Selected Publications
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Jordan A,Broad GR,Stigenberg J,Hughes J,Stone J,Bedford I,Penfield S,Wells R (2020)The potential of the solitary parasitoid Microctonus brassicae for the biological control of the adult cabbage stem flea beetle, Psylliodes chrysocephala.Entomologia experimentalis et applicataPublisher's version: 0013-8703
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Jones M,Olson T,Pullen N,Wells R,Irwin J,Morris RJ (2020)The Oilseed Rape Developmental Expression Resource: A resource for the investigation of gene expression dynamics during the floral transition in oilseed rapeBMC Plant Biology (20)Publisher's version: 1471-2229
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Calderwood A,Hepworth J,Woodhouse S,Bilham L,Jones M,Tudor E,Ali M,Dean C,Irwin I,Wells R,morris RJ (2021)Comparative transcriptomics reveals desynchronisation of gene expression during the floral transition between Arabidopsis and Brassica rapa cultivarsQuantitative Plant Biology (2)Publisher's version: 2632-8828 (Online)