Jim Haseloff

Post - Sainsbury Research Fellow & Lecturer

Cambridge University Address

Department of Plant Sciences
University of Cambridge
Downing Street, Cambridge.
CB2 3EA. United Kingdom.

Main research topics

Jim is interested in the developmental plasticity and functional autonomy of plant tissues, especially with regard to understanding local cell to cell interactions. By developing optical methods he has been able to precisely monitor cells in planta.

He is particularly interested in developing new tools to analyse root morphogenesis in Arabidopsis

Selected publications

GAL4-GFP enhancer trap lines for genetic manipulation of lateral root development in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Laplaze L, Parizot B, Baker A, Ricaud L, Martiniere A, Auguy F, Franche C, Nussaume L, Bogusz D and Haseloff J., Journal Exp Bot. 56:2433-42. (2005)

Spatial control of transgene expression in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using the GAL4 enhancer trapping system.
Johnson AA, Hibberd JM, Gay C, Essah PA, Haseloff J, Tester M, Guiderdoni E., Plant Journal 41:779-789 (2005).


Julian Hibberd

Post - Lecturer

Main research topics

Julian Hibberd is interested in understanding how photosynthetic apparatus is assembled and the regulation of photosynthesis in angiosperms. In plants different cell types have a varying number of chloroplasts and photosynthetic apparatus. By investigating these apparatus in plant leaf cells Julian is hoping to better understand photosynthesis.

Selected publications

Dodd, A.N., Salathia, N., Hall, A., Kévei, E., Tóth, R., Nagy, F., Hibberd, J.M., Millar, A.J. & Webb, A.A.R. (2005) Plant circadian clocks increase growth, competitive advantage and survival. Science, 309: 630-633.

Johnson, A.T., Hibberd, J.M., Gay, C., Essah, P.A., Haseloff, J., Tester, M. & Guiderdoni, E. (2004) Enhnacer trap lines of rice (Oryza sativa L.) producing interesting patterns of gal4 and gfp to allow cell-type-specific gene expression. Plant Journal, 41: 779-789


Roger Leigh

Post - Professor of Botany

Main research topics

Roger Leigh is interested in understanding the role that plant vacuoles play in nutrient storage and mobilisation. He is especially interested in understanding the molecular characteristics of how vacuolar functions differ between cell types in complex tissues.

By carrying out single cell sampling he is able to obtain sap microdroplets (~30pl) from individual cells, and analyse metabolites and enzymes. He also carries out detailed microarray work, with a special interest in identifying factors that affect potassium quantities.

Selected publications

Roy, S.J., Cuin, TA. & Leigh, R.A. (2003) Nanolitre-scale assays to determine the activities of enzymes in individual plant cells. Plant Journal 34: 555-564.

Laurie, S., Feeney, K.A., Maathuis, F.J.M., Heard, P.J., Brown, S.J., & Leigh, R.A. (2002) A role for HKTI in sodium uptake by wheat roots. Plant Journal 32: 139-149.


Enid MacRobbie

Post - Retired Professor/Senior Research Fellow

Main research topics

Enid MacRobbie is interested in furthering the understanding of stomatal behaviour. Their closure is contolled by potassium loss from guard cells, resulting in a loss of turgor. When water is at a premium, such as during a drought, increased production of abscisic acid leads to a decrease of potassium in the guard cells and the cell vacuoles enableing plants to conserve water. Enid is particullarly interested in mechanisms that regulate ion fluxes and of the signalling processes of absisic acid in stomatal closure.

Selected publications

MacRobbie, E.A.C. (2000) ABA activates multiple Ca2+ fluxes in stomatal guard cells, triggering vacuolar K+ (Rb+) release. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 97: 12361-12368.

MacRobbie, E.A.C. (2002) Evidence for a role for protein tyrosine phosphatase in the control of ion release from the guard cell vacuole in stomatal closure. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 99: 11563-11568.

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