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Dr. Elaine Ward

Project Leader

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Elaine Ward's email address

Qualifications and Career / CV

Qualifications
BA Biochemistry (1982), University of Oxford
PhD (1986) Bacterial genetics/ molecular biology (The transposition of Tn21), University of Bristol

Career

1986-1987 
Senior Grade Microbiologist (bacterial transposons and conjugative plasmids), Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London
1987-1989  
Postdoctoral Researcher (Bacillus sterothermophilus genetic improvement), Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London
1989-1990 
Postdoctoral Researcher (Plant Virology), Rothamsted Research
1990-1995 
Higher Scientific Officer (Band 6) (Molecular Plant Pathology/ Mycology), Rothamsted Research
1995-current 
Senior Research Scientist (Band 5 SPD) (Molecular Plant Pathology/ Mycology) Rothamsted Research

Other experience

On the Editorial Board of Plant Pathology from 1997-2004 
On the Board of the British Society for Plant Pathology from 2000-2003.

 

Research Programme

Ecology, molecular biology and biocontrol potential of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia. With Brian Kerry and Penny Hirsch.

We study the functional diversity, molecular biology, ecology and nutrition of the fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia, a facultative parasite of nematode eggs and sedentary females. Research is aimed at selecting and optimising the performance of isolates that can be used for nematode control.  The effectiveness of this fungus as a biological control agent and its parasitic activity against nematode eggs is related to its nutrition and physiological state. Currently we have funding from the BBSRC-DFID SARID programme for research into Nutrient regulation of the saprotroph to parasite transition in Pochonia chlamydosporia, focussed on its potential for use in Kenya.

 

Studies of “fungal” vectors of viruses, especially Polymyxa species and other plasmodiophorids. With Mike Adams and Kostya Kanyuka.

Includes the development and use of methods to specifically detect Polymyxa graminis (the vector of e.g. barley yellow mosaic virus) and Polymyxa betae (the vector of beet necrotic yellow vein virus [causal agent of rhizomania]), and discriminate between isolates with different biological properties. We have also used ribosomal RNA gene analysis to study the phylogeny of the plasmodiophorids.

 

Previous Research

Studies of the take-all fungus and related fungi (the Gaeumannomyces-Phialophora complex).

In collaboration with Geoff Bateman. We have developed molecular methods to specifically detect the take-all fungus and to discriminate between closely related members of the Gaeumannomyces-Phialophora complex. Sequence analysis of ribosomal RNA genes has allowed us to resolve various aspects of the taxonomy and phylogeny of these fungi. We are also using molecular, and other markers to monitor changes in take-all fungus population structure in response to various factors such as fungicide use and the cereal or grass host being grown. Funding from BBSRC, HGCA, DEFRA, Industry.

take-all RFLP
RFLP analysis using a mitochondrial ribosomal DNA probe to discriminate between isolates of the take-all fungus (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici). Southern blot courtesy Jackie Freeman.

 

Methods for integrating air sampling with PCR-based diagnostics.

In collaboration with Alastair McCartney (now retired). Airborne bioparticles play important roles in the spread of disease, and the ability to detect these is vital to understand disease spread and apply appropriate control measures. We have been developing, refining and testing methods of monitoring airborne fungal airborne spores by PCR. We were one of the first groups to publish in this area, and the first to use these methods for plant pathogens. Funding from BBSRC and Center for Indoor Air Research.

 

Molecular studies of fungal communtities in the rhizosphere.

In collaboration with Geoff Bateman and Hanna Kwasna (Agricultural University of Poznan, Poland). We are developing molecular methods for characterizing fungal biodiversity in plant roots and using these to study whether changes occur, e.g. with fungicide use. Longer term applications are expected to include the identification of soils conducive or suppressive to disease. Funding from BBSRC, British Council and EU-INCO.

 

Other organisms and diseases.

Development of techniques for detection, identification, characterization and phylogenetic studies of plant pathogens, and their use in crop disease studies. This has included work on Rhynchosporium secalis, Fusarium sp. on cereal roots and stem bases, fungal pathogens of lupins, Omphalina patch of cereals, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Phytophthora diseases of rubber and citrus, Verticillium disease of linseed and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal interactions.

 

Publications
  1. Ward, E. (2009). Use of molecular methods for the detection of fungal spores. In Plant pathology: Techniques and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, Plant Pathology, vol 508. (Burns, R., ed.), pp. 147-159. Humana Press, New York.
  2. Fountaine, J. M., Shaw, M. W., Ward, E. & Fraaije, B. A. (2009). The role of seeds and airborne inoculum in the initiation of leaf blotch (Rhynchosporium secalis) epidemics in winter barley. Plant Pathology, (in press).
  3. Kwasna, H., Bateman, G. L. & Ward, E. (2008). Determining species diversity of microfungal communities in forest tree roots by pure-culture isolation and DNA sequencing. Applied Soil Ecology 40, 44-56.
  4. Fountaine, J. M., Shaw, M. W., Napier, B., Ward, E. & Fraaije, B. A. (2007). Application of real-time and multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays to study leaf blotch epidemics in barley. Phytopathology 97, 297-303.
  5. Kwasna, H., Ward, E. & Bateman, G. L. (2006). Phylogenetic relationships among Zygomycetes from soil based on ITS1/2 rDNA sequences. Mycological Research 110, 501-510.
  6. Ward, E., Motteram, J., Kanyuka, K. & Adams, M. J. (2005). The use of PCR methods for Polymyxa graminis to study intraspecific variation, phylogeny and inoculum levels. In Proceedings of the Sixth Symposium of the International Working Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors (Rush, C. M., ed.), pp. 100-103. American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists, Denver, USA.
  7. Ward, E., Kanyuka, K., Motteram, J., Kornyukhin, D. & Adams, M. J. (2005). The use of conventional and quantitative real-time PCR assays for Polymyxa graminis to examine host plant resistance, inoculum levels and intraspecific variation. New Phytologist 165, 875-885.
  8. Freeman, J., Ward, E., Gutteridge, R. J. & Bateman, G. L. (2005). Methods for studying population structure, including sensitivity to the fungicide silthiofam, of the cereal take-all fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var tritici. Plant Pathology 54, 686-698.
  9. Ward, E., Foster, S. J., Fraaije, B. A. & McCartney, H. A. (2004). Plant pathogen diagnostics: immunological and nucleic-acid based approaches. Annals of Applied Biology 145, 1-16.
  10. Freeman, J. & Ward, E. (2004). Gaeumannomyces graminis, the take-all fungus and its relatives. Molecular Plant Pathology 5, 235-252.
  11. McCartney, H. A., Foster, S. J., Fraaije, B. A. & Ward, E. (2003). Molecular Diagnostics for Fungal Plant Pathogens. Pest Management Science 59, 129-142.
  12. Kanyuka, K., Ward, E. & Adams, M. J. (2003). Polymyxa graminis and the cereal viruses it transmits: a research challenge. Molecular Plant Pathology 4, 393-406.
  13. Freeman, J., Ward, E., Calderon, C. & McCartney, H. A. (2002). A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of inoculum of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. European Journal of Plant Pathology 108, 877-886.
  14. Calderon, C., Ward, E., Freeman, J. & McCartney, H. A. (2002). Detection of airborne fungal spores sampled by rotating-arm and Hirst-type spore traps using polymerase chain reaction assays. Journal of Aerosol Science 33, 283-296.
  15. Calderon, C., Ward, E., Freeman, J., Foster, S. J. & McCartney, H. A. (2002). Detection of airborne inoculum of Leptosphaeria maculans and Pyrenopeziza brassicae in oilseed rape crops by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Plant Pathology 51, 303-310.
  16. Ward, E. & Bateman, G. L. (1999). Comparison of Gaeumannomyces- and Phialophora-like fungal pathogens from maize and other plants using DNA methods. New Phytologist 141, 323-331.
  17. Morales, F. J., Ward, E., Castano, M., Arroyave, J. A. & Adams, M. J. (1999). Emergence of rice stripe necrosis virus in South America. European Journal of Plant Pathology 105, 643-650.
  18. Ward, E. & Adams, M. J. (1998). Analysis of ribosomal DNA sequences of Polymyxa species and related fungi and the development of genus- and species-specific PCR primers. Mycological Research 102, 965-974.
  19. Hornby, D., Bateman, G. L., Gutteridge, R. J., Lucas, P., Osbourn, A. E., Ward, E. & Yarham, D. J. (1998). Take all disease of cereals: a regional perspective, CAB International, Wallingford.