Latest News
November News
Huitema Lab awarded BBSRC grant
A proposal entitled: "Host translocation requirements of the cytoplasmic Crinkler (CRN) effector protein family in Phytophthora" has been funded. The research will investigate the requirements of host translocation of the CRN protein family. This project will add novel insights into the delivery mechanisms of a conserved protein family that is present in most plant pathogenic oomycetes. In addition, these studies may inform us about effector translocation strategies in other important host parasite interactions. Keep checking this webpage for future job advertisements.
Brian Rigney Joins the Huitema Lab
On November 17th, Brian Rigney, student in the UoD MRes course, has joined the Huitema Lab. Brian selected a project entitled: "Induced gene silencing in Phytophthora" for his MRes research project that will last until August 2011. EH commented: "I am excited of the prospect of Brian joining the lab. Both his interests and experience are perfectly aligned with our experimental priorities and I have no doubt that his work will postively impact current and future research". Huitema Lab hopes Brian will enjoy his time on the data train!
October News
Remco Stam Joins the Huitema Lab
On October 1st, Remco Stam has joined the Huitema Lab as the latest PhD recruit. Remco will be studying CRN effector functions in plants and link effector activities to host cell manipulation. EH "I am excited for both Remco and the Lab and look forward to 3 wonderful years of research here at UoD. Remco is a perfect fit to the Lab team and I am confident that he will make signficant contributions with his research. I wish him a great time in the lab with this new challenge!"
September News
Huitema Lab in existence for 1 year!!
At the end of this Month, the Huitema Lab celebrates its first year anniversary. This year saw establishment of the lab, recruitment of 2 PhD students and training of 3 interns. EH comments: "This was a great year!. I thoroughly enjoyed the time in the lab and working with my new colleagues here at UoD, SCRI and of course, in the lab!. The ball is only starting to roll, but the data that has emerged from the Lab in the past year is of high quality and of real significance. I think a special thanks to everyone who have contributed to and supported all my efforts is certainly warranted. THANKS!!"
August News
CRN translocation paper accepted in PNAS
Our paper demonstrating translocation of a second class of oomycte effectors (Title: "Ancient class of translocated oomycete effectors target the host nucleus") has been accepted in PNAS.
Huitema Lab congratulates Smija Kurian with a great career move!
Visiting scientist started her new job in Edinburgh in the group of Professor Nick Read as a research technician. In the group of Prof. Read, Smija will be working on the Cell biology and photobiology of a new type of hypha involved in sexual reproduction of Neurospora crassa. SK contributed with her expertise in cellbiology to the groups of EH (UoD) and Dr. Alison Roberts (SCRI). EH: "Although Smija is leaving, there is no way we can be sad about this. After being removed from research for a while, Smija came here to work herself back into science. It was a great pleasure to see her getting into her research and ultimately, landing a job which will allow her to make significant career progress". We wish Smija all the best in her future endeavours and hope she will keep in touch!!
July News
Huitema Lab: Ewan Barrack joins the Lab for a summer project
Ewan Barrack, our first Scottish National, is joining the Lab as a Nuffield Student for the next 5 weeks. Ewan will be working on characterization of pathogen gene expression during infection on three different host species. A time course series of P. capsici infection on all plant species is performed and expression patterns of candidate genes are assessed. Ewan is focusing on the RXLR and CRN protein classes and also the marker gene PcHMP1. These studies will help us in our efforts to document the roles of diverse protein classes in economically important pathogens.
"Doing this project is a great opportunity for Ewan to learn molecular biology techniques and get a good insight into the world of research!" Julietta comments. We wish Ewan great success with this short project and all the best for his future! Also a big "Thank you" for Ewan, for getting on our data train and helping to keep it moving? It was a good time!
June News
Huitema Lab: Dirk van Vugt is leaving the Lab...
After 5 months of hard work in the lab, intern Dirk van Vugt is leaving the lab. During his stay, Dirk worked hard towards the identification of proteins that interact with CRN N-termini. EH: "Dirk worked his socks off. He identified 5 possible interactors, which we now have to follow up on. We thank him for his efforts and contributions and hope to see him back in Dundee some day". On his last day, Dirk was presented with a fine Scottish product which he intends to share with his fellow class-mates whilst recruiting new interns to come to Dundee. Thank you Dirk!!
April News
Division of Plant Sciences: DPS hosts 2010 Scottish Plant Biology meeting in Dundee.
Over 130 scientists attended the Scottish Plant Biology meeting on April 22nd. With excellent talks on a wide range of topics pertaining to plant health, this meeting was a great success. To read more about the meeting visit: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2010/prapril10/biologists.htm
Huitema Lab: Julietta Jupe enters the UoD PhD programme!
Julietta Jupe, the first member to join the Huitema Lab in January has now formally become a Ph.D student!. During her PhD, Julietta will explore P. capsici-Host associations using N. benthamiana as a model host. Julietta will be exploring P. capsici-host interactions by defining the different stages of infection, monitoring gene expression of important effectors during disease progression and develop gene transfer and silencing technology in P. capsici to perform functional analyses of pathogen (effector) genes. EH commented: “We need to have a deep understanding of P. capsici-host associations if we were to study important players in pathogenesis in great detail”. EH: “Starting this programme is a wonderful opportunity for JJ. Completing a Ph.D. project is always a great personal challenge, but an excellent opportunity to attack a biological problem. I am looking forward to see JJ rise to this challenge and blossom”. GOOD LUCK JULIETTA!!, keep the data-train moving…
March News
Huitema Lab: Royal Society Research Small Research Grant funded!. A proposal entitled: “Implementation of visual fluorescent markers for studying parasite effector trafficking during infection” has been funded. The proposal calls for the development and optimisation of fluorescent markers that allow studies of Host Translocation in Phytophthora. Codon-optimised genes encoding high performance fluorescent proteins will be tested during P. capsici-N. benthamiana interactions. This project may improve current protein localisation strategies and could positively impact studies of effector translocation/localisation in other important host parasite interactions.
February News
Huitema Lab: Dirk van Vugt joins the Lab while and sets a new record!
Dirk van Vugt, a B.Sc. Student from The Netherlands, has just joined the lab as an Intern for the next 6 Months. By joining, Dirk smashed the “tallest person in the lab” record. Dirk will be working on the identification of proteins that interact with CRN N-termini and could have roles in effector translocation. We wish Dirk good luck with this rather challenging project…go get ‘em Dirk!
January News
Huitema Lab: Julietta Jupe formally joins the lab as research technician!
Bavarian National (Germany) Julietta Jupe has joined the Huitema Lab as a research technician. Julietta has been training in Molecular Biology as an intern in the lab from November ’09, but now obtained a formal position within the lab. EH said: “Over the past two months, Julietta has worked tremendously hard to learn about molecular biology and research in the lab. It is clear to me that she is very smart, has great technical ability, wonderful work ethic and the motivation to become a seasoned researcher. I am sure she’ll do great and continue to work hard towards positive career progression”.