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IAFRI Staff

Dr Kirsty McInnes

Research Fellow

Background

I am a plant and slug molecular biologist, interested in the molecular mechanisms that underpin the co-evolutionary 'arms' race' between plants and their gastropod pests.


Postgraduate Research, University of Glasgow, 2011-2015: During my PhD at the University of Glasgow, I studied the mechanisms regulating UV-B-mediated tolerance of Oilseed rape to the Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and Grey Field Slug, Deroceras reticulatum. I employed a multi-omic approach to identify transcripts and metabolites commonly-regulated by UV-B radiation and herbivory, and generated transgenic Arabidopsis genotypes over-expressing candidate genes to further enhance this phenotype.


Senior Scientific Specialist, CHAP, 2015-2019: I expanded upon my molecular biology research skills whilst working at the Agri-Tech Centre, Crop Health and Protection (CHAP), based at Rothamsted Research. Here, I managed a molecular diagnostic lab equipped with cutting-edge sequencing technology and high-throughput qPCR platforms to track the development of pesticide resistance in pathogen, weed and invertebrate pests of UK crops.


Knowledge Exchange and Research Fellow, Newcastle University, 2019-present: My position at Newcastle University has been highly diverse, combining knowledge exchange and networking activities with field- and lab-based research. Upon starting in 2019, I engaged in knowledge exchange activities to promote and develop research capabilities on the University's Research Farms (NUFarms, comprising of Cockle Park and Nafferton). This involved networking with industrial collaborators to establish trials or projects on the NUFarms, working cohesively as part of an inter-disciplinary team to prepare multi-million pound project proposals, and co-developing dissemination activities/materials to share at national agricultural events.

Since 2022, I have engrossed myself in my own professional research interests, which seek to investigate the molecular interactions between gastropods and their plant hosts.

Research

Research Aims and Objectives


My research interests concern the coevolutionary 'arms' race' that exists between plants and their gastropod pests. This phenomenon entails the mechanisms by which plants can detect slug threats and wage defence responses against them, and how slugs then respond to these defences by e.g. avoiding the plant, or mounting their own molecular counter attack!

I am particularly interested in identifying elicitors ('inducers') and effectors ('dampeners') of plant defence in the Grey Field slug, Deroceras reticulatum, and studying the mechanisms by which slugs can detect and respond to 'attractive' or 'repulsive' food items.

Whilst my current research primarily concerns slug molecular biology, I still identify as a plant biologist! As such, I also welcome researchers who are interested in studying plant responses to slugs.


Why is this research important?

The Grey Field slug is a major agricultural and invasive pest species native to the UK and Europe. In the UK alone, this organism is capable of eliciting up to £100M-worth of damage to wheat, oilseed rape and potatoes annually if not controlled. The highly-adaptive nature of D. reticulatum has resulted in its successful immigration to Canada, North and South America, New Zealand, Australia, Russia and even South Africa, where it has also become a threat to arable agricultural systems.


Since the ban on use of metaldehyde in the UK (2022), conventional methods of slug control in the UK are limited to a single active ingredient (ferric phosphate). To-date, the long-term environmental impacts of ferric phosphate-containing formulations are unknown, and we are also unsure whether slugs have the potential to develop resistance against this active ingredient if they are constantly exposed to it in agrisystems. An alternative to chemical interventions is the use of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which employ cultural, monitoring and biological methods to combat intractable pest problems. Whilst the delivery of IPM strategies has increased for various insect and pathogen pests, our 'tooblox' for gastropods is seriously lacking. This is predominately due to our lack of scientific knowledge on the behaviour and biology of slugs, particularly how they differentiate between 'attractive' and 'repulsive' food items in a field, and how they interact with their plant hosts.


A better understanding of slug biology and behaviour could support the development and delivery of species-specific IPM strategies that aim to reduce slug pressure on crops whilst safeguarding the environment and non-target organisms. Additionally, a better fundamental understanding of how this little critter can interact with its surroundings (particularly food sources, predators and fellow slimy mollusc cousins) could shed light on the ecological success of D. reticulatum as a highly adaptive invasive pest.


Research Grants

  • Royal Society Research Grant (2022-2024): Enabling Slug Molecular Biology at Newcastle University


PGR Projects

  • Determining the Potential of Enhanced Rock Weathering of Rock Dust to Co-Deliver for Healthy Soils and Improved Crop Protection against Pests in Temperate Agricultural Systems (Samuel Obeng Apori, IAFRI-funded PhD student, 2022-present, PI)
  • Exploring the Potato Virome Leading to Improved Diagnostics and a Novel Control Strategy (Omnia Elshorbagy, PhD student, 2021-present, Co-supervisor)
  • Combatting Tuta absoluta on Solanaceous Vegetables using Fungal Entomopathogens in an Integrated Pest Management Programme (Julius Olumeh, PhD student, 2021-present, Co-supervisor)
  • Viruses of Imported Andean Root and Tuber Crops and their Plant Health Risk to the UK (Morgan Wodring, IAFRI-funded PhD student, 2021-present, Co-supervisor).
  •  Physiological response of quinoa to environmental stress: effects on nutritional profile and plant immunity (Jonathan Chikankheni, One Planet-Funded PhD student, 2022-2025, Co-supervisor)


Publications