Several aspects of the work are collaborative with other units, particularly those of Cell Biology and Applied Genetics . There are five major themes, although these are interdependent and to some extent over-lapping. An objective of such work is to reveal the molecular basis of host resistance mechanisms, and thereby aid the exploitation of such resistance for crop improvement. Virus movement is also studied cytologically in the Cell Biology Unit.
Protein interactions underlie most virus disease processes.
This theme aims to reveal the identities of the host proteins, the molecular mechanisms of the interactions and how they control virus functions. Protein-protein interactions also underlie work on developing immunodiagnostic materials by antibody biotechnology . Research is done on resistance determined by host genes, where these exist, and on resistance determined by transgenes introduced into plants by transformation. The work has the aims of trying to understand how resistance genes of either type produce their effects and also of obtaining resistance genes that are useful to plant breeders. This work is aimed at understanding the mechanisms and processes underlying virus transmission and spread by aphids and nematode vectors.