John Jones

Research Scientist
Cell and Molecular Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)
John is a plant nematologist who has worked on genomics and host-parasite interactions of plant-parasitic nematodes for over 25 years.
  • Functional analysis of effectors of plant parasitic nematodes.
  • Genomics of the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida.
  • Horizontal gene transfer in plant parasitic nematodes.
  • Characterisation and control of potato cyst nematodes in East Africa
  • Moelcular mechanisms underpinning hatch in potato cyst nematodes

John has a joint appointment at the University of St Andrews.

John is part of the Dundee Effector Consortium.

Past research

  • Work in our group is focused on identification and characterisation of secreted effector proteins of plant parasitic nematodes, with a particular focus on effectors that suppress host defences.
  • Our work uses genomics tools to identify and characterise effectors.  We have been involved in projects sequencing genomes and transcriptomes of a range of plant-parasitic nematodes.
  • One unexpected finding that has emerged from this work is that genes important in the parasitic process seem to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer, from bacteria or fungi, in all groups of plant parasitic nematodes studied to date.
  • Current work is aimed at functional characterisation of proteins we suspect are important in generating a susceptible response or suppressing host defences in plants.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Siddique, S.; Jones, J.T. (2021) Advances in understanding plant root response to nematode attack., In: Gregory, P. (ed.). Understanding and Improving Crop Root Function. Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science. Cambridge: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Chapter 10, pp 267-302
  • Perry, R.N.; Moens, M.; Jones, J.T. (eds.) (2018) Cyst nematodes, Wallingford, CABI Publishing, 488pp
  • Jones, J.T.; Mitchum, M.G. (2018) Biology of effectors, In: Perry, R.N., Moens, M. & Jones, J.T. (eds.). Cyst Nematodes. Wallingford: CABI, Chapter 4, pp 74-88
  • Reid, A.J.; Jones, J.T. (2014) Bioinformatic analysis of expression data to identify effector candidates., In: Birch, P., Jones, J.T. & Bos, J.I.B. (eds.). Plant-Pathogen Interactions: Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 1127. Humana Press, New York, 2nd ed. Chapter 2, 17-27.
  • Elling, A.A.; Jones, J.T. (2014) Functional characterization of nematode effectors in plants., In: Birch, P., Jones, J.T. & Bos, J.I.B. (eds.). Plant-Pathogen Interactions: Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 1127. Humana Press, New York, 2nd ed. Chapter 9, 113-124..
  • Birch, P.; Jones, J.; Bos, J.I. (eds). (2014) Plant-pathogen interactions: methods and protocols., Methods in Molecular Biology, Volume 1127. 2nd edition, Humana Press, New York, 306pp.
  • Smant, G.; Jones, J.T. (2011) Suppression of plant defences by nematodes., In: Jones, J.T., Gheysen, G. & Fenoll, C. (eds.). Genomics and Molecular Genetics of Plant-Nematode Interactions. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Chapter 13, 273-286.
  • Jones, J.T.; Gheysen, G.; Fenoll, C. (eds.) (2011) Genomics and molecular genetics of plant-nematode interactions., Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 557pp. ISBN: 978-94-007-0433-6
  • Curtis, R.H.C.; Jones, J.T.; Davies, K.G.; Sharon, E.; Spiegel, Y. (2011) Plant nematode surfaces., In: Davies, K.G. & Spiegel, Y. (eds.). Biological Control of Plant Parasitic Nematodes: Building Coherence Between Microbial Ecology and Molecular Mechanisms. Springer Academic Publishers, 115-144.
  • Gheysen, G.; Jones, J.T. (2006) Molecular aspects of plant-nematode interactions., In: Perry, R.N. & Moens, M. (eds.). Plant Nematology. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon, pp234-254.
  • Jones, J.T. (2002) Nematode sense organs., In: Lees, D.L. (ed.). The Biology of Nematodes. Taylor and Francis, London, pp353-368.
  • Jones, J.T. (2001) Parasites of crops: Potato cyst nematode (PCN) Globodera pallida (Nematoda)., In: Halton, D.W., Behnke, J.M. & Marshall, I. (eds.). Practical Exercises in Parasitology. Cambridge University Press, Chapter 1.7, pp63-72.

Technical / contract reports

  • Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J.; Hein, I.; Jones, J.T.; Pritchard, L. (2010) Functional analysis of pathogen effectors: how to go from genomics to durable resistance., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2009, 39-41.
  • Wale, S.; Inglis, M.; Bain, R.; Davey, T.; Evans, A.; Bradshaw, J.E.; Phillips, M.; Jones, J.T.; Fenton, B.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Ramsay, G. (2008) Welcome to the Potatoes in Partnership open meetings 2008 which form part of knowledge transfer activities for RERAD funded research., SAC Information Note 105
  • Jones, J.T.; Phillips, M.S.; Blok, V.C. (2008) Potato cyst nematode genomics., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2007, pp26-27.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Birch, P.R.J.; Adam, M.; Blok, V.C.; Jones, J.T. (2004) Functional genomic tools for the major eukaryotic pathogens of potato., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2003/2004, pp127-128.
  • Whisson, S.C.; Avrova, A.O.; Armstrong, M.R.; Jones, J.T.; Venter, E.; Birch, P.R.J. (2004) Targeting late blight with gene discovery., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, pp102-103.
  • Blok, V.C.; Armstrong, M.R.; Banks, B.; Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J.; Castelli, L.; Jones, J.T.; Kumar, A.; Phillips, M.S.; Purvis, A.; Ramsay, G.; Waugh, R.; Wishart, J. (2002) Investigating gene expression in nematode-infected roots., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp122-124.

Conference papers

  • Cooke, D.; Brierley, J.; Toth, I.; Randall, E.; Humphris, S.; Jones, J.; Cock, P. (2022) Applications of DNA metabarcoding for plant pathogen tracking and diagnostics, Crop Production in Northern Britain Conference, 1-2 March 2022, Online.
  • Thorpe, P.; Cock, P.J.A.; Mantelin, S.; Reid, a.; Cotton, J.; Lilley, C.J.; Urwin, P.E.; Blok, V.C.; Jones, J.T. (2012) Identification and functional characterisation of effectors from the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida., Association of Applied Biologists Conference, Crop Genomics and Crop Improvement, University of East Anglia, Norwich, 5-6 December 2012.
  • Jones, J.T.; Thorpe, P.; Cock, P.J.A.; Mantelin, S.; Urwin, P.E.; Blok, V.C. (2012) Identification and characterisation of effectors of Globodera pallida., Effectome Meeting V, Lauret, France, 24-26 October 2012.
  • Palomares-Rius, J.E.; Jones, J.T.; Hedley, P.; Cock, P.J.A.; Blok, V.C. (2012) Gene expression of Globodera pallida in different potato genetic backgrounds., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28-29 February, 2012, pp285-289.
  • Lilley, C.J.; Berriman, M.; Jones, J.T.; Blok, V.C.; Kerry, B.R.; Hunt, M.; Urwin, P. (2010) The genome sequence of Globodera pallida and its utilisation for improved control., 3rd Symposium on Potato Cyst Nematodes, Harper Adams University College, Newport, 14-15 September 2010 (Talk).
  • Robertson, L.; Radhakrishnan, R.; Cock, P.J.A.; Blok, V.C.; Smith, A.; Grenier, E.; Hunt, M.; Berriman, M.; Jones, J.T. (2010) Functional analysis of pioneer effectors from plant parasitic nematodes., 4th Annual Meeting of COST 872 Nemagenics: Exploiting genomics to understand plant-nematode interactions, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-27 May 2010.
  • Thorpe, P.; Blok, V.C.; Pylypenko, L.A.; Urwin, P.; Jones, J.T. (2010) Functional analysis of Globodera pallida effector similar to ubiquitin extension proteins., 4th Annual Meeting of COST 872 Nemagenics: Exploiting genomics to understand plant-nematode interactions, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-27 May 2010.
  • Blok, V.C.; Phillips, M.S.; Jones, J.T. (2008) UK PCN research., State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Marysville, Victoria, Australia, 21-22 July 2008.
  • Mulroy-Hehir, Z.; Jones, J.T.; Burnell, A. (2005) Isolation and characterisation of genes expressed during the early stages od insect infection by Steinernema carpocapsae., AAB Advances in Nematology. London, 13 December 2005.
  • Chen, Q.; Jones, J.T. (2004) Functional analysis of secreted proteins of plant parasitic nematodes using RNAi., European Society of Nematologists Meeting, Rome, 14-18 June 2004.
  • Birch, P.R.J.; Blok, V.C.; Phillips, M.; Jones, J.T.; Stewart, H.E.; Duncan, J.M.; Bryan, G.J.; Waugh, R.; Lyon, G.D.; MacFarlane, S.A.; Avrova, A.O.; Whisson, S.C.; Toth, I.K. (2003) Current and future research at SCRI on the molecular genetics of the interactions between potato and its major pathogens., Acta Horticulturae, 619, 95-119.
  • Holeva, R.C.; Chen, Q.; Neilson, R.; Jones, J.T.; Brown, D.J.F. (2001) Lectin attachment to Paratrichodorus anemones (Nematoda)., Proceedings of the Potato Association of America Meeting, St. Augustine, Florida, USA, 22-26 April 2001.
  • Jones, J.T.; Blok, V.C.; Popeijus, H.; Prior, A.E.; Phillips, M.S.; Smant, G. (2001) ESTs (expressed sequence tags) and parasitism – sequences and function., EU COST 819 Proceedings, Luxembourg, 228-237.
  • Holeva, R.C.; Chen, Q.; Neilson, R.; Jones, J.T.; Brown, D.J.F. (2000) Screening of selected lectins for attachment to Paratrichodorus anemones (Nematoda:Trichodoridae)., Association of Applied Biologists, Offered Papers in Nematology, Linnean Society of London, 12 December 2000.
  • Jones, J.T.; Blair, L.; Sobczak, M.; Clot, N.; Perry, R.N. (1999) Up-regulation of host and parasite genes during the life-cycle of cyst nematodes., Abstracts of the BSP Spring Meeting, Warwick, 68.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Mantelin, S; Nguyen Thi, H.; Ho-Bich, H.; Armstrong, M.; Xiong, L.; Jones, J.T.; Hein, I.; Bellafiore, S. (2019) Towards the characterisation of a novel resistance gene to control the rice root-knot nematode., XVIIIth International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Glasgow, Scotland, 14-18 July 2019. (Poster)
  • Leslie, K.; Mantelin, S.; Jones, J.T.; Eves-van den Akker, S. (2019) Functional analysis of core effectors of syncytium forming nematodes., MPMI 2019, XVIII Congress, Glasgow, 14-18 July 2019. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 32, 148. Abstract.
  • Eves-van den Akker, S.; Laetsch, D.R.; Thorpe, P.; Lilley, C.J.; Danchin, E.G.J.; DaRocha, M.; Rancurel, C.; Holroyd, N.E.; Cotton, J.A.; Szitenberg, A.; Grenier, E.; Montarry, J.; Mimee, B.; Duceppe, M.; Boyes, I.; Marvin, J.M.C.; Jones, L.M.; Yusup, H.B.; Lafond-Lapalme, J.; Esquibet, M.; Sabeh, M.; Rott, M.; Overmars, H.; Finkers-Tomczak, A.; Smant, G.; Koutsovoulos, G.; Blok, V.; Mantelin, S.; Cock, P.J.A.; Phillips, W.; Henrissat, B.; Urwin, P.E.; Blaxter, M.; Jones, J.T. (2016) The genome of the yellow potato cyst nematode, globodera rostochiensis, reveals in-sights into the bases of parasitism and virulence., Journal of Nematology, 48, p317. Abstract.
  • Eves-van den Akker, S.; Lilley, C.J.; Danchin, E.G.J.; Rancurel, C.; Cock, P.J.A.; Urwin, P.E.; Jones, J.T. (2016) The transciptome of Nacobbus aberrans reveals insights int o the evolution of sedentary endoparasitism in plant-parasitic nematodes., Journal of Nematology, 48, p317. Abstract.
  • Dandurand, L-M.; Bryant, G.; Block, V.; De Jong, W.; Denver, D.; Hutchinson, P.; Jones, J.; Kuhl, J.; Knudsen, G.; Mimee, B.; Novy, R.; Thorton, M.; Wang, X.; Whitworth, J.; Zasada, I. (2015) Risk assessment and eradication of Globodera spp. in U.S. production of potato., Journal of Nematology, 47, 230.
  • Eves-van den Akker, S.; Lilley, C.J.; Danchin, E.G.J.; Rancurel, C.; Cock, P.J.A.; Jones, L.M.; Yusup, H.B.; Jones, J.T.; Urwin, P.E. (2015) Comparative genomics / transciptomics to study effector gene birth in plant-parasitic nematodes., Journal of Nematology, 47, 235. (Abstract)
  • Mantelin, S.; Coke, M.C.; Wright, K.M.; Thorpe, P.; Lilley, C.J.; Urwin, P.E.; Jones, J.T. (2014) Investigating the biological function of parasitism genes from the white potato cyst nematode identifies a unique effector that targets NAC transcription factors in the host., XVIth International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Rhodes, Greece, 6-10 July 2014. (Poster)
  • Jones, J.T.; Haegeman, A.; Danchin, E.G.J.; Gaur, H.S.; Helder, J.; Jones, M.G.K.; Kikuchi, T.; Manzanilla-Lopez, R.; Palomares-Rius, J.E.; Wesemael, W.M.L.; Perry, R.N. (2014) Top 10 plant parasitic nematodes in molecular plant pathology., Journal of Nematology, 46, 181.
  • Eves-van den Akker, S.; Lilley, C.J.; Jones, J.T.; Urwin, P.E. (2014) Characterisation of novel secreted proteins and their potential role in cyst nematode parasitism., Journal of Nematology, 46, 161.
  • Mei, Y.Y.; Mantelin, S.; Haegeman, A.; Wright, K.; Gheysen, G.; Jones, J.T. (2014) Functional analysis of Globodera pallida sprysec proteins., Journal of Nematology, 46, 204.
  • Lilley, C.J.; Cotton, J.A.; Blok, V.; Eves-van den Akker, S.; Jones, L.M.; Reid, A.J.; Thorpe, P.; Berriman, M.; Jones, J.T.; Urwin, P.E. (2014) The genome sequence and life-stage specific transcriptomes of potato cyst nematode., Journal of Nematology, 46, 194.
  • Hein, I.; Gilroy, E.; Hornyik, C.; Bryan, G.; Milne, I.; Toth, I.K.; Ducreux, L.; Torrance, L.; Milne, L.; Cock, P.; Pritchard, L.; Sharma, K.; MacFarlane, S.; Zhang, R.; Hedley, P.; Jones, J.; Birch, P.; Taylor, M.; Dale, F.; McNaughton, I.; Wright, J.; Prashar, A.; Blok, V.; Carnegie, P.; Chapman, S. (2013) Utilising the potato genome., Potatoes in Practice 2013, Balruddery Farm, Invergowrie, Dundee, 8 August 2013.
  • Coke, M.; Lilley, C.J.; Mantelin, S.; Jones, J.T.; Urwin, P. (2012) Functional characterisation of effectors from the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida., 31st International Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists, Adana Turkey, 23-27 September 2012. (Poster)
  • Jones, J.T.; Blok, V.C.; Cock, P.J.A.; Mantelin, S.; Smith, A. (2012) Genome sequence of the potato cyst nematode and its exploitation for control., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28-29 February, 2012.
  • Palomares-Rius, J.E.; Jones, J.T.; Hedley, P.E.; Morris, J.A.; Cock, P.J.A.; Blok, V.C. (2012) Gene expression of Globodera pallida in different potato genetic backgrounds., Environmental Management and Crop Protection. CPNB 2012: The Dundee Conference, 28-29 February 2012. (Poster)
  • Guzeeva, E.; Wright, K.M.; Mantelin, S.; Smith, A.; Cock, P.J.; Blok, V,C.; Jones, J,T. (2012) Cell biology of effectors: subcellular localisations of effectors from the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida., 31st International Symposium of the European Society of Nematologists, Adana Turkey, 23-27 September 2012.
  • Thorpe, P.; Jones, J.T.; Mantelin, S.; Coke, M.; Lilley, C.J.; Urwin, P. (2011) Characterization of effectors from the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida., Final Meeting of COST 872 Exploiting Genomics to Understand Plant-Nematode Interactions, held in association with the 63rd International Symposium on Crop Protection, Ghent, Belgium, May 2011. (Poster)
  • Blok, V.C.; Cock, P.J.A.; Hunt, M.; Hedley, P.E.; Morris, J.; Jones, J.T. (2010) Investigations of the expression of the multipartite mtDNA of Globodera pallida., 4th Annual Meeting of COST 872 Nemagenics: Exploiting genomics to understand plant-nematode interactions, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-27 May 2010 (Poster).
  • Blok, V.C.; Cock, P.J.A.; Hunt, M.; Hedley, P.E.; Morris, J.; Jones, J.T. (2010) Investigations of the expression of the multipartite mtDNA of Globodera pallida., Society of Nematologists Annual Meeting, Boise, Idaho, USA, 11-14 July 2010 (Poster).
  • Jones, J.T.; Phillips, M.; Blok, V.C. (2007) Functional characterisation of secreted proteins of the potato cyst nematode Globoderra pallida., Advances in Nematology AAB 2007, London, 11 December 2007 (Abstract).