Dr Mike Roberts
Honorary ResearcherResearch Overview
Research in my group focuses on the biology of plant stress responses. Using tomato as our main model, we study the regulation of responses to plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions, as well as some aspects of abiotic stress. Our two main areas of interest are on priming; the long-term 'memory' of plant stress, and its impacts on future defence responses both within and between generations, and on the use of seed treatments to provide enhanced germintion and stress tolerance.
More information is available from my .
Research Interests
Current research areas:
Long-term memory of plant stress responses
- Mechanisms and applications of long-term priming of plant resistance to pests and diseases.
- Trans-generational phenotypic plasticity.
Sustainable approaches to improved plant biotic and abiotic stress resistance
- Bio-based seed treatments that provide long-lasting increases in resistance against disease and insect pests in crop plants.
- Physical seed treatments for improved germination, seed vigour, and/or stress tolerance.
Career Details
1988-1991: SERC/CASE PhD studentship, Department of Botany, University of Leicester.
1991-1994: Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Botany, University of Leicester.
1994-1996: Post-doctoral Research Associate, The Plant Laboratory, University of York.
1996-2001: Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of York.
2001-2004: Royal Society University Research Fellow, 糖心破解版.
2004-2012: Lecturer in Plant Science, 糖心破解版.
2012-2026: Senior Lecturer in Plant Science, 糖心破解版.
PhD Supervision Interests
Transgenerational defence priming in plants. Crop protection methods based on defence priming. Effects of biotic interactions on seed dormancy.
Selected Publications
Stevens, K., Roberts, M.R., Jeynes‐Cupper, K., Majeed, L., Pastor, V., Catoni, M., Luna, E. 28/02/2025 In: New Phytologist. 245, 3, p. 1145-1157. 13 p.
Journal article
Sánchez, A.L., Pascual-Pardo, D., Furci, L., Roberts, M.R., Ton, J. 26/02/2021 In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 12
Journal article
Catoni, M., Alvarez-Venegas, R., Worrall, D., Holroyd, G., Barraza, A., Luna, E., Ton, J., Roberts, M. 15/04/2022 In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 13 p.
Journal article
Singh, P., Dave, A., Vaistij, F., Worrall, D., Holroyd, G.H., Wells, J., Kaminski, F., Graham, I., Roberts, M.R. 06/2017 In: New Phytologist. 214, 4, p. 1702-1711. 10 p.
Journal article
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
Luna, E., Bruce, T., Roberts, M., Flors, V., Ton, J. 02/2012 In: Plant Physiology. 158, 2, p. 844-853. 10 p.
Journal article
All Publications
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01/12/2023 → 27/03/2025
Research
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01/03/2023 → 30/04/2024
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01/10/2019 → 30/09/2023
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01/10/2019 → 30/09/2023
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01/10/2019 → 31/03/2023
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01/10/2019 → 30/09/2020
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05/11/2018 → 04/11/2019
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01/10/2018 → 30/09/2022
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01/10/2018 → 30/09/2022
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19/02/2018 → 18/08/2018
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01/11/2015 → 30/04/2016
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01/10/2015 → 30/09/2019
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01/09/2014 → 31/12/2017
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01/12/2009 → 30/11/2012
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01/01/1900 → …
Research
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Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Invited talk
Hosting a Student (PhD)
Business Course/Training
Hosting an academic visitor
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Invited talk
Invited talk
Membership of committee
Invited talk
Invited talk
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Invited talk
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Hosting a Student (PhD)
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Membership of committee
Membership of committee
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Membership of committee
Membership of committee
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Editorial activity
Membership of committee
Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Fellowship awarded competitively
Prize (including medals and awards)
Plant and Crop Science
- Improving global stewardship
- Innovation for a better environment
- Plant and Crop Science