Professor Tony Miller

Senior Scientist Molecules from Nature, Plant Health

Tony’s research brings together an interest in membrane transporters with plant nutrition, with the aim of improving the efficiency of fertiliser use.

He investigates plant nitrogen content and how a balance between nitrate and ammonium is facilitated by nitrogen transporters to maintain pH within the cell.

As part of this research Tony has developed soil sensors for monitoring nitrogen content of soils.

His research also extends to other plant nutrients including;

The biofortification and bioavailability of zinc
Nitrogen use efficiency through nitrogen transporters
Nutrient uptake
Biofortification
Bioavailability
Calcium signalling
Heavy metal transporters

Sensor development for measuring soil nutrients the Miller lab addresses fundamental questions in plant nutrition with a specialist interest in membrane transporters.

Nitrogen nutrition is a particular focus of the groups research and the structure and function of membrane transporters for nitrate, ammonium and amino acids is being studied. Some of these transporters play a key role in sensing nitrogen availability in the soil.

Nitrogen cycling at the root/soil interface is important for uptake by plants and typically around 60% of the N fertiliser applied to crops is not taken up and can be leached into the environment.

They work closely with soil scientists and microbiologists to identify ways to improve nitrogen use efficiency in crops. Close collaborations with Chinese scientists have led to the development of cereals with much improved yield and nitrogen use efficiency.

The Miller lab are also collaborating with Professor Davey Jones at Bangor University on a project titled; ‘Real-time in situ sensing of soil nitrogen status to promote enhanced nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural systems’.