Phytoplasmas: Genomes, Plant Hosts and Vectors

Author Biography

Until March 2006 Principal research scientist at Rothamsted Research where I led the Tropical Virus Unit of the Global plant Clinic which studies and characterises viruses, phytoplasmas and fastidious bacteria that are pathogens in tropical crops. I was also Head of the Centre for Biological Imaging. I am currently a consultant to the Global Plant Clinic at Rothamsted my research interests include etiology of phytoplasma diseases, phytoplasma - vector relationships and the development of new diagnostic methods for phytoplasmas. I am a member of the IRPCM Working team for phytoplasma and Spiroplasma taxonomy; the FAO / CFC expert consultation committee on Coconut Lethal Yellowing and leader of the IPPS Phytoplasma Diagnostic Methods team. I have organised and conducted training courses in plant phytoplasma diseases both at home and overseas, and participated in courses for other organisations including NARS and CG institutes. I have a successful record of supervision of both MSc and PhD research students. I have also planned laboratories for plant virology and molecular biology in developing countries and organised staff training in the necessary techniques. In 2004 was appointed Professor by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Havana, Cuba for my work with developing countries. Dr. Wei is a research plant pathologist in the Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, BARC-NEA, ARS, USDA. She completed her Ph.D. in 2004 at the Plant Pathology Laboratory, the University of Tokyo, and has been a member of MPPL since 2005. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Wei specializes in the detection, identification, classification, and genomic evolution of plant pathogenic phytoplasma and spiroplasma, which are cell wall-less bacteria responsible for numerous diseases in agriculturally and environmentally significant plant species worldwide. Dr. Wei's research also extends to understanding phytoplasma host interactions, especially the molecular and physiological mechanisms of phytoplasma-induced diversion of plant meristem fate. She has authored or co-authored over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to her research, Dr. Wei actively engages in scientific service. She has served on international and national scientific committees and grant review panels. Dr. Wei also has served in an editorial role for international journals and has contributed her expertise as a reviewer for more than 30 international journals.