Background

https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=tmX4eo8AAAAJ&hl=en

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5094-5788

Research

My research interest is the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to environmental conditions.  Multidisciplinary approach ranging from conventional techniques in molecular biology and plant physiology to modern techniques such as transcriptomics and metabolomics has been utilized in my research projects to improve the understanding of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Non-Target-Site resistance in Black-grass populations

An infestation of multiple herbicide resistances black-grass population is a prominent problem in winter and spring cereal crops in Western Europe included the United Kingdom. To develop novel and sustainable approaches to manage multiple herbicide resistance black-grass, the understanding of the molecular mechanism of non-target site resistance (NTSR), an important biological process underlying multiple herbicide resistances, is required. I am investigating the function of a specific glutatathione-s-transferase protein mediating underlying molecular mechanisms of NTSR type of resistance in black-grass and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana.

Publications

• Schwarz M, Eno RFM, Freitag-Pohl S, Coxon CR, Straker HE, Wortley DJ, Hughes DJ, Mitchell G, Moore J, Cummins I, Onkokesung N, Brazier-Hicks M, Edwards R, Pohl E, Steel PG. Flavonoid-based inhibitors of the Phi-class glutathione transferase from black-grass to combat multiple herbicide resistance. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry 2021, 19(42), 9211-9222.
• Franco-Ortega S, Goldberg-Cavalleri A, Walker A, Brazier-Hicks M, Onkokesung N, Edwards R. Non-target Site Herbicide Resistance Is Conferred by Two Distinct Mechanisms in Black-Grass (Alopecurus myosuroides). Frontiers in Plant Science 2021, 12, 636652.
• Silva G, Tomlinson J, Onkokesung N, Sommer S, Mrisho L, Legg J, Adams IP, Gutierrez-Vazquez Y, Howard TP, Laverick A, Hossain O, Wei Q, Gold KM, Boonham N. Plant pest surveillance: from satellites to molecules. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 2021, 5(2), 275-287.
• Torra J, Montull JM, Taberner A, Onkokesung N, Boonham N, Edwards R. Target-Site and Non-target-Site Resistance Mechanisms Confer Multiple and Cross- Resistance to ALS and ACCase Inhibiting Herbicides in Lolium rigidum From Spain. Frontiers in Plant Science 2021, 12, 25138.
• Davies LR, Onkokesung N, Brazier-Hicks M, Edwards R, Moss S. Detection and characterization of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides in Anisantha and Bromus species in the United Kingdom. Pest Management Science 2020, 76(7), 2473-2482.
• Comont D, Lowe C, Hull R, Crook L, Hicks HL, Onkokesung N, Beffa R, Childs DZ, Edwards R, Freckleton RP, Neve P. Evolution of generalist resistance to herbicide mixtures reveals a trade-off in resistance management. Nature Communications 2020, 11, 3086.
• Comont D, Lowe C, Hull R, Crook L, Hicks HL, Onkokesung N, Beffa R, Childs DZ, Edwards R, Freckleton RP, Neve P. Publisher Correction: Evolution of generalist resistance to herbicide mixtures reveals a trade-off in resistance management (Nature Communications, (2020), 11, 1, (3086), 10.1038/s41467-020-16896-0). Nature Communications 2020, 11(1), 4441.
• Edwards R, Onkokesung N. Resisting resistance: New applications for molecular diagnostics in crop protection. Biochemist 2020, 42(4), 6-12.
• Nandula VK, Riechers DE, Ferhatoglu Y, Barrett M, Duke SO, Dayan FE, Goldberg-Cavalleri A, Tetard-Jones C, Wortley DJ, Onkokesung N, Brazier-Hicks M, Edwards R, Gaines T, Iwakami S, Jugulam M, Ma R. Herbicide Metabolism: Crop Selectivity, Bioactivation, Weed Resistance, and Regulation. In: 2018 Annual Meeting of the Weed Science Society of America. 2019, Arlington, VA, USA: Cambridge University Press.
• Nandula VK, Riechers DE, Ferhatoglu Y, Barrett M, Duke SO, Dayan FE, Goldberg-Cavalleri A, Tétard-Jones K, Wortley DJ, Onkokesung N, Brazier-Hicks M, Edwards R, Gaines T, Iwakami S, Jugulam M, Ma R. Herbicide Metabolism: Crop Selectivity, Bioactivation, Weed Resistance, and Regulation. Weed Science 2019, 67(2), 149-175.
• Onkokesung N, Reichelt M, Wright LP, Phillips MA, Gershenzon J, Dicke M. The plastidial metabolite 2‐C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol‐2,4‐cyclodiphosphate modulates defence responses against aphids. Plant, Cell & Environment 2019, 42(7), 2309-2323.
• Onkokesung N, Reichelt M, vanDoorn A, Schuurink RC, Dicke M. Differential Costs of Two Distinct Resistance Mechanisms Induced by Different Herbivore Species in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 2016, 170(2), 891-906.
• Nicolia A, Proux-Wera E, Åhman I, Onkokesung N, Andersson M, Andreasson E, Zhu LH. Targeted gene mutation in tetraploid potato through transient TALEN expression in protoplast. Journal of Biotechnology 2015, 204, 17-24.
• Cabanelas DG, Wright LP, Paetz C, Onkokesung N, Gershenzon J, Concepción MR, Phillips MA. The isoprenoid pathway intermediate, 2-C-methyl-D-erythriol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate, is diverted to form glycosidic and non-glycosidic metabolites that alter defense signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Journal 2015, 82(1), 122-137.
• Onkokesung N, Reichelt M, van Doorn A, Schuurink RC, van Loon JJA, Dicke M. Modulation of flavonoid metabolites in Arabidopsis thaliana through overexpressing of the MYB75 transcription factor: role of kaempferol-3,7-dirhamnoside in resistance to specialist insect herbivore Pieris brassicae. Journal of Experimental Botany 2014, 65(8), 2203-2217.
• Gaquerel E, Kotkar H, Onkokesung N, Galis I, Baldwin IT. Silencing an N-acyltransferase-like involved in lignin biosynthesis in Nicotiana attenuata dramatically alters herbivory-induced phenolamide metabolism. PLoS ONE 2013, 8(5), e62336.
• Onkokesung N, Gaquerel E, Kotkar H, Kaur H, Saluz HP, Baldwin IT, Galis I. MYB8 controls inducible phenolamide levels by activating three novel hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA polyamine transferases in Nicotiana attenuate. Plant Physiology 2012, 158.
• Woldermarian MG, Onkokesung N, Baldwin IT, Galis I. JASMONOYL-L-ISOLEUCINE HYDROLASE 1 (JIH1) regulates jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine levels and attenuates plant defences against herbivores. The Plant Journal 2012, 72.
• Onkokesung N, Galis I, vonDahl CC, Matsuoka K, Saluz HP, Baldwin IT. Jasmonic acid and ethylene modulate local response to wounding and simulated herbivory in Nicotiana attenuata leaves. Plant Physiology 2010, 153.