Dr Mike Roberts

Senior Lecturer

Research Overview

Research in my group focuses on the biology of plant stress responses. Using tomato and Arabidopsis as our main models, we study the regulation of responses to plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions, as well as some aspects of abiotic stress. Our main current focus is on priming; the long-term 'memory' of plant stress and its impacts on future defence responses both within and between generations.

More information is available from my lab web pages.

Administration

Mike's main administrative role in LEC is as Programme Director for LEC's portfolio of biology degree schemes

Teaching

Mike’s main teaching includes:

a first year undergraduate module in Developmental Biology as part of the LEC BSc degree schemes in Biology
a second year undergraduate module in Environmental Physiology as part of the LEC BSc degree schemes in Biology and Ecology & Conservation
a third year undergraduate module in Host-Parasite Interactions as part of the LEC BSc degree schemes in Biological Sciences and Ecology & Conservation

Research Interests

Current research areas:

Long-term priming of plant defence responses

Mechanisms and applications of long-term priming of plant resistance to pests and diseases.
Trans-generational phenotypic plasticity.

Effects of the environment on plant stress responses

Interactions between light signalling and wound/herbivore responses in Arabidopsis.
Effects of the environment (temperature, CO₂ levels) on stomatal behaviour in barley.

Sustainable approaches to improved plant biotic and abiotic stress resistance

Novel seed treatments which provide long-lasting increases in resistance against disease and insect pests in crop plants. This research has led to successful commercialisation.
The development of novel combinations of bioactive compounds to enhance plant abiotic stress resistance.

These projects have been supported by over £1.5 million external funding, including grants from BBSRC, Defra, NERC and industry.

I am Deputy Editor of the journal Plant Methods.

Professional Role

Deputy Editor of Plant Methods (www.plantmethods.com)

BBSRC Panel of Experts

Career Details

1988-1991: Department of Botany, University of Leicester. SERC/CASE PhD studentship

1991-1994: Department of Botany, University of Leicester. Post-doctoral Research Associate funded by an AFRC grant to Dr. R.J. Scott.

1994-1996: The Plant Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of York. Research Associate funded by a BBSRC ROPA award to Prof. D.J. Bowles.

1996-2001: The Plant Laboratory, Department of Biology, University of York. Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

2001-2004: Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster University. Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

2004-2008: Department of Biological Sciences, Lancaster University. Lecturer in Plant Science.

2008-2012: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University. Lecturer in Plant Science.

2012-present: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University. Senior Lecturer in Plant Science.

PhD Supervision Interests

Transgenerational immune priming in plants.

Show less

Exploiting plant induced resistance as a route to sustainable crop protection
Roberts, M., Taylor, J. 2015 In: Biotechnology for plant disease control. Hoboken, USA : John Wiley and Sons
Chapter (peer-reviewed)

Keeping it in the family: transgenerational memories of plant defence
Singh, P., Roberts, M. 2015
Scientific review

Measuring stress signalling responses of stomata in isolated epidermis of graminaceous species.
Shen, L., Sun, P., Bonnell, V., Edwards, K., Hetherington, A., McAinsh, M., Roberts, M. 2015 In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 6
Journal article

Glutamate receptor-like channels in plants: an amino acid sensing role in plant defence?
Forde, B., Roberts, M. 2/06/2014
Scientific review

Reduction of photosynthetic sensitivity in response to abiotic stress in tomato is mediated by a new generation plant activator
Wargent, J.J., Pickup, D., Paul, N.D., Roberts, M.R. 30/07/2013 In: BMC Plant Biology. 13, 1, 15 p.
Journal article

Preface. Induced Resistance to Biotic Stress.
Roberts, M. 03/2013 In: Journal of Experimental Botany. 64, 5, 2 p.
Special issue

Unraveling the epigenetic basis of transgenerational immune priming
López, A., Luna, E., Roberts, M., Vera, P., Ton, J. 2013 In: IOBC-WPRS Bulletin. p. 33-35. 3 p. Electronic ISBN: 9789290672678.
Conference contribution

Next generation systemic acquired resistance
Luna, E., Bruce, T., Roberts, M., Flors, V., Ton, J. 02/2012 In: Plant Physiology. 158, 2, p. 844-853. 10 p.
Journal article

Treating seeds with activators of plant defence generates long-lasting priming of resistance to pests and pathogens.
Worrall, D., Holroyd, G.H., Moore, J.P., Glowacz, M., Croft, P., Taylor, J.E., Paul, N.D., Roberts, M.R. 02/2012 In: New Phytologist. 193, 3, p. 770-778. 9 p.
Journal article

A stress-specific calcium signature regulating an ozone-responsive gene expression network in Arabidopsis
McAinsh, M., Short, E., North, K., Roberts, M., Shirras, A., Hetherington, A. 2012 In: The Plant Journal. 71, 6, p. 948–961. 14 p.
Journal article

Biological control of sheath blight disease of rice by siderophore producing rhizobacterial strains and their role in efficient mobilisation of micronutrients from soil
Naureen, Z., Hafeez, F.Y., Roberts, M. 09/2011 In: Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 22, Supplement 1, p. S48-S48. 1 p.
Journal article

Light as both an input and an output of wound-induced reactive oxygen formation in Arabidopsis leaves
Morker, K., Roberts, M. 1/08/2011 In: Plant Signaling and Behavior. 6, 8, p. 1087-1089. 3 p.
Journal article

Light exerts multiple levels of influence on the Arabidopsis wound response
Morker, K., Roberts, M. 05/2011 In: Plant, Cell and Environment. 34, 5, p. 717–728.
Journal article

Identification of rice blast disease-suppressing bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of rice grown in Pakistan.
Naureen, Z., Price, A.H., Hafeez, F.Y., Roberts, M.R. 12/2009 In: Crop Protection. 28, 12, p. 1052-1060. 9 p.
Journal article

A consortium of siderophore-producing bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of rice plants induces systemic resistance in rice against sheath blight disease
Naureen, Z., Hafeez, F., Roberts, M. 2009 In: Aspects of Applied Biology. ASSOCIATION OF APPLIED BIOLOGISTS p. 17-19. 3 p. ISBN: 0265-1491.
Conference contribution

Induction of systemic resistance against rice blast disease by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from the rhizosphere of rice
Naureen, Z., Hafeez, F.Y., Roberts, M. 2009 In: Microbial Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture. Islamabad, Pakistan : National Commission on Biotechnology, Pakistan p. 261-266. 6 p. ISBN: 978-969-8189-14-3.
Conference contribution

Does GABA act as a signal in plants? : hints from molecular studies.
Roberts, M.R. 09/2007 In: Plant Signaling and Behavior. 2, 5, p. 407-408. 2 p.
Journal article

Early signals in the wound response of Arabidopsis thaliana
Morker, K., Roberts, M. 2007 In: Plant Biology (Rockville). 2007, p. 30-31. 2 p.
Journal article

Regulation of Arabidopsis 14-3-3 gene expression by GABA.
Lancien, M., Roberts, M.R. 07/2006 In: Plant, Cell and Environment. 29, 7, p. 1430-1436. 7 p.
Journal article

Seduced by the dark side: integrating molecular and ecological perspectives on the influence of light on plant defence against pests and pathogens.
Roberts, M.R., Paul, N.D. 06/2006 In: New Phytologist. 170, 4, p. 677-699. 23 p.
Journal article

Imaging singlet oxygen generation in wounded plants
Roberts, M., Morker, K., Flor-Henry, M. 04/2006
Meeting abstract

Plant methods moves to fund open-access publishing
Forde, B.G., Roberts, M.R. 2006 In: Plant Methods. 2, 6
Editorial

Fast-track applications : the potential for direct delivery of proteins and nucleic acids to plant cells for the discovery of the gene function.
Roberts, M.R. 15/12/2005 In: Plant Methods. 1, p. 12.
Journal article

Plant methods: putting the spotlight on technological innovation in the plant sciences.
Forde, B.G., Roberts, M.R. 18/08/2005 In: Plant Methods. 1, 1, 1 p.
Editorial

Phosphate-dependent anion channel-mediated citrate efflux from Arabidopsis roots
Diatloff, E., Roberts, M., Sanders, D., Roberts, S. 07/2005
Meeting abstract

Roles for plant 14-3-3 proteins in signalling and development.
Lancien, M., McCabe, T.C., Chang, C., Roberts, M.R. 07/2005
Meeting abstract

Imaging singlet oxygen generation in wounded plant leaves.
Flor-Henry, M., Morker, K., Roberts, M.R. 03/2005
Meeting abstract

Characterization of Anion Channels in the Plasma Membrane of Arabidopsis Epidermal Root Cells and the Identification of a Citrate-Permeable Channel Induced by Phosphate Starvation.
Diatloff, E., Roberts, M., Sanders, D., Roberts, S.K. 12/2004 In: Plant Physiology. 136, 4, p. 4136-4149. 14 p.
Journal article

Use of a highly sensitive two-dimensional luminescence imaging system to monitor endogenous bioluminescence in plant leaves.
Flor-Henry, M., McCabe, T.C., De Bruxelles, G.L., Roberts, M.R. 18/11/2004 In: BMC Plant Biology. 4, 9
Journal article

14-3-3 proteins find new partners in plant cell signalling.
Roberts, M.R. 05/2004 In: Trends in Plant Science. 8, 5, p. 218-223. 6 p.
Journal article

Fusicoccin activates pathogen-responsive gene expression independently of common resistance signalling pathways, but increases disease symptoms in Pseudomonas syringae-infected tomato plants.
Singh, J., Roberts, M.R. 10/03/2004 In: Planta. 219, 2, p. 261-269. 9 p.
Journal article

14-3-3 proteins and the response to abiotic and biotic stress.
Roberts, M.R., Salinas, J., Collinge, D.B. 12/2002 In: Plant Molecular Biology. 50, 6, p. 1031-1039. 9 p.
Journal article

Foreword
Roberts, M., Denecke, J., Collinge, D.B. 12/2002 In: Plant Molecular Biology. 50, 6, 3 p.
Special issue

Plant 14-3-3 protein families - evidence for isoform-specific functions?
Roberts, M.R., De Bruxelles, G.L. 08/2002 In: Biochemical Society Transactions. 30, 4, p. 373-378. 6 p.
Journal article

Approaches to study the structure and function of tomato 14-3-3 protein isoforms
Brown, A., McCabe, T., Roberts, M. 2002
Meeting abstract

Structure and function of tomato 14-3-3 protein isoforms
Roberts, M., de Bruxelles, G., Brown, A., McCabe, T. 2002
Meeting abstract

Signals regulating multiple responses to wounding and herbivores.
De Bruxelles, G.L., Roberts, M.R. 2001 In: Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. 20, 5, p. 487-521. 35 p.
Journal article

14-3-3 proteins and a 13-lipoxygenase form associations in a phosphorylation-dependent manner.
Holtman, W.L., Roberts, M.R., Wang, M. 12/2000 In: Biochemical Society Transactions. 28, 6, p. 834-836. 3 p.
Journal article

Regulatory 14-3-3 protein-protein interactions in plant cells.
Roberts, M.R. 1/10/2000 In: Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 3, 5, p. 400-405. 6 p.
Journal article

14-3-3 proteins intact with a 13-lipoxygenase, but not with a 9-lipoxygenase.
Holtman, W.L., Roberts, M.R., Oppedijk, B.J., Testerink, C., Van Zeijl, M.J., Wang, M. 26/05/2000 In: FEBS Letters. 474, 1, p. 48-52. 5 p.
Journal article

Biochemical characterization of tomato annexin p35: independence of calcium-binding and phosphatase activities
Lim, E., Roberts, M., Bowles, D.J. 25/12/1999 In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 273, 52, p. 34920–34925. 6 p.
Journal article

14-3-3 proteins double the number of outward-rectifying K+ channels available for activation in tomato cells.
Booij, P.P., Roberts, M.R., Vogelzang, S.A., Kraayenhof, R., de Boer, A.H. 12/1999 In: The Plant Journal. 20, 6, p. 673-683. 11 p.
Journal article

Fusicoccin, 14-3-3 proteins and defense responses in tomato plants.
Roberts, M.R., Bowles, D.J. 04/1999 In: Plant Physiology. 119, 4, p. 1243-1250. 8 p.
Journal article

Differential regulation of a glucosyl transferase gene during defence responses in tobacco
Roberts, M., Warner, S.A.J., Darby, R., Lim, E., Draper, J., Bowles, D.J. 03/1999 In: Journal of Experimental Botany. 50, 332, p. 407-410. 4 p.
Journal article

A novel tomato gene that rapidly responds to wound- and pathogen-related signals
O'Donnell, P.J., Truesdale, M.R., Calvert, C.M., Dorans, A., Roberts, M., Bowles, D.J. 04/1998 In: The Plant Journal. 14, 1, p. 137-142. 6 p.
Journal article

Gametophyte-specific transposition of the maize Ds element in transgenic tobacco
Firek, S., Martin, D.J., Roberts, M., Sturgess, F., Scott, R., Draper, J. 09/1996 In: The Plant Journal. 10, 3, p. 569-578. 10 p.
Journal article

Molecular cloning of a novel wound-induced gene from tomato: twi1
Truesdale, M.R., Doherty, H.M., Loake, G.J., McPherson, M.J., Roberts, M., Bowles, D.J. 09/1996 In: Plant Physiology. 112, 1, p. 446. 1 p.
Journal article

14-3-3 genes of tomato
Roberts, M., Bowles, D. 05/1996
Meeting abstract

Gametophyte-specific transposition of the maize Ds element in transgenic plants
Firek, S., Martin, D., Roberts, M., Sturgess, F., Stranks, B., Scott, R., Draper, J. 05/1996
Meeting abstract

Transposon-mediated insertional mutagenesis
Roberts, M. 1996 In: Plant gene isolation. Chichester, England : John Wiley and Sons p. 301-328. 28 p.
Chapter (peer-reviewed)

An investigation of the role of the anther tapetum during microspore development using genetic cell ablation
Roberts, M., Boyes, E., Scott, R. 09/1995 In: Sexual Plant Reproduction. 8, 5, p. 299-307. 9 p.
Journal article

Brassica napus pollen oleosins possess a characteristic C-terminal domain
Roberts, M., Hodge, R., Scott, R. 01/1995 In: Planta. 195, 3, p. 469-470. 2 p.
Journal article

Gametophytic transposition of the maize Ds element in heterologous plant species
Martin, D., Firek, S., Roberts, M., Guerineau, F., Bi, M., Scott, R., Draper, J. 05/1994
Meeting abstract

Studies on anther development and gene expression using transgenes causing cell-specific ablation
Roberts, M., Hodge, R., Paul, W., Scott, R. 05/1994
Meeting abstract

Molecular and biochemical-studies of oleosins form seeds and pollen of higher plants
ROSS, J., BATCHELDER, C., KEDDIE, J., Roberts, M., SCOTT, R., MURPHY, D. 4/01/1994
Meeting abstract

Activation and developmental regulation of an Arabidopsis anther-specific promoter in microspores and pollen of Nicotiana tabacum
Twell, D., Patel, S., Sorensen, A., Roberts, M., Scott, R., Draper, J., Foster, G. 10/1993 In: Sexual Plant Reproduction. 6, 4, p. 217-224. 10 p.
Journal article

Characterization of a new class of oleosins suggests a male gametophyte-specific lipid storage pathway
Roberts, M., Hodge, R., Ross, J.H., Sorensen, A., Murphy, D.J., Draper, J., Scott, R. 05/1993 In: The Plant Journal. 3, 5, p. 629-636. 8 p.
Journal article

Gametophytic and sporophytic expression of an anther-specific Arabidopsis thaliana gene
Roberts, M., Foster, G.D., Blundell, R.P., Robinson, S.W., Kumar, A., Draper, J., Scott, R. 01/1993 In: The Plant Journal. 3, 1, p. 111-120. 10 p.
Journal article

A Brassica napus mRNA encoding a protein homologous to phospholipid transfer proteins, is expressed specifically in the tapetum and developing microspores
Foster, G.D., Robinson, S.W., Blundell, R.P., Roberts, M., Hodge, R., Draper, J., Scott, R. 1992 In: Plant Science. 84, 2, p. 187-192. 6 p.
Journal article

A Brassica napus mRNA expressed specifically in developing microspores
Roberts, M., Robson, F., Foster, G.D., Draper, J., Scott, R. 08/1991 In: Plant Molecular Biology. 17, 2, p. 295-299. 5 p.
Journal article

Characterization and applications of the sequence controlling a microspore-specific gene
Roberts, M., FOSTER, G., BLUNDELL, R., Draper, J., SCOTT, R. 05/1991
Meeting abstract

Excision of the maize transposable element Ac in flax callus
Roberts, M., Kumar, A., Scott, R., Draper, J. 11/1990 In: Plant Cell Reports. 9, 7, p. 406-409. 4 p.
Journal article

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLLEN SPECIFIC PROMOTERS FROM ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA
Roberts, M., ROBSON, F., BLUNDELL, R., FOSTER, G., KUMAR, A., Draper, J., Scott, R. 1990
Meeting abstract

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