Lesley Torrance

Research

Blog: QuickGro Potatoes: Climate and disease resilient potatoes to bolster food security in Malawi 

Breaking News: 20 December 2021.Trials by Malawi team partners have resulted in five new cultivars approved for cultivation in Malawi. They were shown to tolerate heat and disease pressures and open the way for potato production in non-traditional potato producing areas. They mature early, have short cooking time and taste good.  Congratulations to all the team; what a great Christmas present.

Research on potato viruses, particularly potato virus Y and transdisciplinary research on potato production systems in sub-Saharan Africa. We are working to identify potato clones that are resilient to abiotic stresses as well as diseases and that crop quickly with high yields in warmer environments.

Current research collaboration: “Food security and Health for East Africa; Producing new climate-resilient and disease-resistant potato varieties tailored to potato production systems”  The University of St Andrews with partners, the James Hutton Institute, the International Potato Centre (Nairobi and Lilongwe), The Department of Agriculture Research Services, Bvumbwe, Malawi and The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega Kenya. Hutton team: Lesley Torrance, Mark Taylor, Carla Barlagne, Graham Cowan, Ray Campbell and Laurence Ducreaux

We have exploited our basic research on virus resistance, heat tolerance and early maturity to evaluate 60 genotypes of potato in challenging environments in both Kenya and Malawi.  From this we selected 12 candidate clones for further evaluation.  We have also engaged with farmers and commercial end users through focus groups and choice experiments to exchange views on potato tubers to ensure the clones selected from this work will meet grower and consumer needs.

Kenya harvest January 2021 of plants grown from Scottish glasshouse grown mini tubers (G0) and tubers harvested in June (grown in long rains season; G1 tubers) reveal excellent yields from both with exceptional performance in some lines.  Some good candidates for developing new SSA varieties.

Reported in Malawi Times, March 2021:

Our field trials conducted by Malawi partners led by Senior Deputy Director of Agricultural Research Services Margaret Chiipanthenga in the Department of Agricultural Research Services have revealed good yields from our potato lines being trialled in non-traditional growing districts of Malawi.

“In Malawi, we have a high demand for potato, yet the only districts that produce it are Ntcheu and Dedza and parts of Nyika and Viphya highlands, which are a bit cold.

“We are looking at places where we can produce potato to meet the demand. That’s why we are trying to produce them in areas outside the cold areas,” Chiipanthenga said.

The varieties were produced under a project dubbed QuickGro, which is aimed at producing potato varieties that are heat-tolerant and resistant to late blight and viral diseases as well as high yielding. QuickGro Project Manager Obed Mwenye said farmers could harvest mature tubers within two months after planting.

“One major advantage with the early maturing varieties is that farmers can start to eat even before maize starts tussling, a lean period in most parts of the country, and in which most households are in dire need of food,” Mwenye said.

Reported in Malawi Times, July 2021:

Under the QuickGro Project, Dars and the International Potato Centre (CIP) are trialling new varieties of potatoes, which are poised to place farmers in non-traditional potato-growing districts such as Lilongwe, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mzimba and Zomba on an equal footing with farmers in Dedza and Ntcheu.

The project aims to release potato varieties which are not only high yielding, but are also heat tolerant, early maturing (70 days after planting), resistant to late blight and viral diseases, have desirable palatable traits as well as having a low dormancy period.

The potato cultivar Mayan Gold has passed national Perfomance Trials in Kenya and is approved for distribution to farmers. Mayan Gold has excellent properties that are beneficial for small holder rural farmers including PVY resistance, fast cooking time, good fry quality and good taste.

Our paper on distribution of pests and diseases in Kenyan potato growing regions has been published in Potato Research: Occurrence and distribution of potato pests and diseases in Kenya.

Strengthening Potato Production in SSA; Malawi and Kenya

Malawi: Working with partners Paul Demo, CIP potato seed specialist, Malawi and Felistus Chipungu, Department Agriculture Research Services, Bvumbwe Research Station.

This Scottish Government supported project aims to contribute to poverty reduction and food security through strengthening the development of sustainable potato production and marketing systems for improved productivity and trade. The main achievements to date are in renovation and upgrading facilities for mini tuber production, the introduction and evaluation of new cultivars and capacity building.

In collaboration with DARS, CIP and SASA, Edinburgh we delivered a training course in seed potato crop inspection, disease identification, and diagnostic in Dedza District of Malawi, 13–16 March 2012. Lesley Torrance and two senior potato seed inspectors (John Ellicott and Maureen McCreath) travelled from Scotland to Malawi for the training.

The course had 37 trainees from different organisations in Malawi involved in seed quality control, seed production, or in backstopping farmers. We conducted classroom and field work and surveyed local farmers’ fields. This year was a bad one for late blight with many crops destroyed or badly affected. Potato crops were also affected by PVY and bacterial wilt. We found recombinant strains of PVY in potato crops.

Scottish Government Funded Potato Project, Training Course, Near Dedza Pottery, Malawi, March 2012 from eric monaghan on Vimeo.

Kenya: The project is supported by The Monsanto Fund and we are working with partners Dr Hassan Were (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega), Dr J. Kabira, KARI Tigoni and Professor F. Olubayo (University of Nairobi).

 

The main outcomes of this project are:

• A comprehensive pest and disease survey in all five major potato producing areas in Kenya.
• Identification of areas of low aphid pressure for seed tuber multiplication.
• Introduction of tissue culture microplants of 12 cultivars with different agronomic qualities to KARI Tigoni who have bulked up the material.

All introduced cultivars are growing well in the region. Sufficient material of three cultivars has been submitted for National Performance Trials and we are collaborating with the Kenyan National Potato Council to disseminate information and demonstrate the qualities of the new material in field trials.

Publications

Journals

• Cowan, G.; MacFarlane, S.; Torrance, L. (2023) A new simple and effective method for PLRV infection to screen for virus resistance in potato, Journal of Virological Methods, 315, Art. 114691
• Kumar, P.; Roberts, A.G.; Cowan, G.H.; Squires, J.N.; Tobin, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Hackett, C.A. (2022) Phloem connectivity and transport are not involved in mature plant resistance (MPR) to Potato Virus Y in different potato cultivars, and MPR does not protect tubers from recombinant strains of the virus, Journal of Plant Physiology, 275, Art. 153729
• Campbell, R.; Ducreux, L.; Cowan, G.; Young, V.; Chinoko, G.; Chitedze, G.; Kwendani, S.; Chiipanthenga, M.; Bita, C. E.; Mwenye, O.; Were, H.; Torrance, L.; Sharma, S.; Hancock, R.; Bryan, G.; Taylor, M. (2022) Allelic variants of a potato HEAT SHOCK COGNATE 70 gene confer improved tuber yield under a wide range of environmental conditions, Food and Energy Security, 12(1), Art. E377
• Torrance, L.; Taliansky, M. (2020) Potato virus Y emergence and evolution from the Andes of South America to become a major destructive pathogen of potato and other solanaceous crops worldwide., Viruses-Basel, 12, Article No. 1430.
• Zhang, X.; Campbell, R.; Ducreux, L.J.M.; Morris, J.; Hedley, P.E.; Mellado-Ortega, E.; Roberts, A.G.; Stephens, J.; Bryan, G.J.; Torrance, L.; Chapman, S.N.; Prat, S.; Taylor, M.A. (2020) TERMINAL FLOWER-1/CENTRORADIALIS inhibits tuberisation via protein interaction with the tuberigen activation complex., The Plant Journal, 103, 2263-2278.
• Jones, S.; Cowan, G.; MacFarlane, S.; Mukoye, B.; Mangeri, B.C.; Were, H.; Torrance, L. (2020) RNA sequence analysis of diseased groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) reveals the full genome of groundnut rosette assistor virus (GRAV), Virus Research, 277, art.197837
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; McLean, K.; MacFarlane, S.; Al-Abedy, A.N.; Armstrong, M.; Lim, T.Y.; Hein, I.; Bryan, G.J. (2020) Natural resistance to potato virus Y in solanum tuberosum group Phureja., Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 133, 967-980.
• Baizan-Edge, A.; Cock, P.; MacFarlane, S.; McGavin, W.; Torrance, L.; Jones, S. (2019) Kodoja: A workflow for virus detection in plants using k-mer analysis of RNA-sequencing data, Journal of General Virology, 100(3), 533-542
• Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Jones, S.; Kumar, P.; Kalyandurg, P.B.; Gil, J.F.; Savenkov, E.I.; Hemsley, P.A.; Torrance, L. (2018) Potato Mop-Top Virus Co-Opts the Stress Sensor HIPP26 for Long-Distance Movement, Plant Physiology, 176(3), 2052-2070
• Trapero-Mozos, A.; Morris, W.L.; Ducreux, L.J.M.; McLean, K.; Stephens, J.; Torrance, L.; Bryan, G.J.; Hancock, R.D.; Taylor, M.A. (2018) Engineering heat tolerance in potato by temperature-dependent expression of a specific allele of HEAT SHOCK COGNATE 70., Plant Biotechnology Journal, 16, 197-207.
• Jones, S.; Baizan-Edge, A.; MacFarlane, S.; Torrance, L. (2017) Viral diagnostics in plants using next generation sequencing: computational analysis in practice., Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, Article No. 1770.
• Michelmore, R.; Coaker, G.; Bart, R.; Beattie, G.; Bent, A.; Bruce, T.; Cameron, D.; Dangl, J.; Kamoun, S.; Dinesh-Kumar, S.; Edwards, R.; Eves-van den Akker, S.; Gassmann, W.; Greenberg, J.; Harrison, R.; He, P.; Harvey, J.; Huffaker, A.; Hulbert, S.; Innes, R.; Jones, J.; Kaloshian, I.; Katagiri, F.; Leach, J.; Ma, W.; McDowell, J.; Medford, J.; Meyers, B.; Nelson, R.; Oliver, R.; Qi, Y.; Saunders, D.; Shaw, M.; Subudhi, P.; Torrance, L.; Tyler, B.; Walsh, J. (2017) Foundational and translational research opportunities to improve plant health., Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 30, 515-516.
• Thomas-Sharma, S.; Abdurahman, A.; Ali, S.; Andrade-Piedra, J.L.; Bao, S.; Charkowski, A.O.; Crooke, D.; Kadian, M.; Kromann, P.; Struik, P.C.; Torrance, L.; Garrett, K.A.; Forbes, G.A. (2016) Seed degeneration in potato: the need for an integrated seed health strategy to mitigate the problem in developing countries., Plant Pathology, 65, 3-16.
• Reavy, B.; Swanson, M.M.; Cock, P.J.A.; Dawson, L.A.; Freitag, T.E.; Singh, B.K.; Torrance, L.; Mushegain, A.R.; Taliansky, M. (2015) Distinct circular single-stranded DNA viruses exist in different soil types., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 81, 3934-3945.
• Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Cowan, G.H.; Vetukuri, R.R.; Tilsner, J.; Torrance, L.; Savenkov, E.I. (2015) Importin-alpha-mediated nucleolar localization of potato mop-top virus TRIPLE GENE BLOCK1 (TGB1) protein facilitates virus systemic movement, whereas TGB1 self-interaction is required for cell-to-cell movement in Nicotiana benthamiana., Plant Physiology, 167, 738-752.
• Were, H.K.; Kabira, J.N.; Kinyua, Z.M.; Olubayo, F.M.; Karinga, J.K.; Aura, J.; Lees, A.K.; Cowan, G.H.; Torrance, L. (2013) Occurrence and distribution of potato pests and diseases in the major potato growing areas in Kenya., Potato Research, 56, 325-342.
• Mitchell, C.A.; Kalies, S.; Cizmar, T.; Heisterkamp, A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G.; Gunn-Moore, F.J.; Dholakia, K. (2013) Femtosecond optoinjection of intact tobacco BY-2 cells using a reconfigurable photoporation platform., PLoS ONE, 8, Article No. e79235.
• Bragard, C.; Caciagli, P.; Lemaire, O.; Lopez-Moya, J.J.; MacFarlane, S.; Peters, D.; Susi, P.; Torrance, L. (2013) Status and prospects of plant virus control through interference with vector transmission., Annual Review of Phytopathology, 51, 177-201.
• Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Thaduri, S.; Garushyants, S.K.; Torrance, L.; Savenkov, E.I. (2013) Deciphering the mechanism of defective interfering RNA (DI RNA) biogenesis reveals that a viral protein and the DI RNA act antagonistically in virus infection., Journal of Virology, 87, 6091-6103.
• Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2012) The potato mop-top virus TGB2 protein and viral RNA associate with chloroplasts and viral infection induces inclusions in the plastids., Frontiers in Plant Science, 3(290).
• Birch, P.R.J.; Bryan, G.J.; Fenton, B.; Gilroy, E.M.; Hein, I.; Jones, J.T.; Prashar, A.; Taylor, M.A.; Torrance, L.; Toth, I.K. (2012) Crops that feed the world 8: potato: are the trends of increased global production sustainable?, Food Security, 4, 477-508.
• Newton, A.C.; Torrance, L.; Holden, N.; Toth, I.K.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Blok, V.C.; Gilroy, E.M. (2012) Chapter three – climate change and defence against pathogens in plants., Advances in Applied Microbiology, 81, 89-132.
• Swanson, M.M.; Reavy, B.; Makarova, K.S.; Cock, P.J.; Hopkins, D.W.; Torrance, L.; Koonin, E.V.; Taliansky, M. (2012) Novel bacteriophages containing a genome of another bacteriophage within their genomes., PLoS ONE, 7, Article No. e40683.
• Zakri, A.M.; Ziegler, A.; Commandeur, U.; Fischer, R.; Torrance, L. (2012) In vivo expression and binding activity of scFv-RWAV, which recognises the coat protein of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (family Geminivirdae)., Archives of Virology, 157, 1291-1299.
• Torrance, L.; Wright, K.M.; Crutzen, F.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Bragard, C.; Savenkov, E.I. (2011) Unusual features of pomoviral RNA movement., Frontiers in Plant Microbe Interactions, 2, 259.
• Tilsner, J.; Amari, K.; Torrance, L. (2011) Plasmodesmata viewed as specialised membrane adhesion sites., Protoplasma, 248, 39-60.
• Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2010) The N-terminal domain of PMTV TGB1 movement protein is required for nucleolar localization, microtubule association and long-distance movement., Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 23, 1486-1497.
• Verchot-Lubicz, J.; Torrance, L.; Solovyev, A.G.; Morozov, S.Y.; Jackson, A.O.; Gilmer, D. (2010) Varied movement strategies employed by triple gene block encoding viruses., Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, 23, 1231-1247.
• Tilsner, J.; Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2010) Plasmodesmal targeting and intercellular movement of Potato mop-top pomovirus is mediated by a membrane anchored tyrosine-based motif on the lumenal side of the endoplasmic reticulum and the C-terminal transmembrane domain in the TGB3 movement protein., Virology, 402, 41-51.
• Zakri, A.M.; Ziegler, A.; Torrance, L.; Fischer, R.; Commandeur, U. (2010) Generation and characterisation of a scFv against recombinant coat protein of the geminivirus Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus., Archives of Virology, 155, 335-342.

Books / chapters

• Torrance, L. (2019) Virus Diseases of Potatoes, In: eLS Encyclopaedia, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• Roberts, D.; Torrance, L.; Stirton, G.; Britton, A.J.; Craig, C.-A.; Kyle, C; Newman, C.; Macaulay, C.; Fielding, D.; Watson, H.; Pohle, I.; Robertson, J.; Maxwell, J.; Irvine, K.; Sutherland, L-A.; Dawson, L.A.; Shepherd, L.; Miller, P.; Ellis, R.; Richards, S.; Blok, V.; Hackett, C.; Kettle, H. (2018) Women in Science, The James Hutton Institute, 25pp
• Were, H. K.; Olubayo, F.M.; Kabira, J.; Aura, J.; Torrance, L. (2015) Aphids infesting potato in Kenya., In: Low, J., Nyongesa, M., Quinn, S. & Parker, M. (eds.). Potato and Sweetpotato in Africa: Transforming the Value Chains for Food and Nutrition Security. CAB International, Chapter 38, 396-404.
• Tilsner, J.; Taliansky, M.E.; Torrance, L. (2014) Plant virus movement., In: Harper, D. (ed.). eLS, Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, A20711.
• Al-Mrabeh, A.; Anderson, E.A.; Torrance, L.; Evans, A.; Fenton, B. (2010) A literature review of insecticide and mineral oil use in preventing the spread of non-persistent viruses in potato crops., The Potato Council Ltd., Stoneleigh, 65pp.
• Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A.; Cowan, G.H.; Torrance, L. (2009) Studies of the role and function of Barley stripe mosaic virus encoded proteins in replication and movement using GFP fusions., In: Hicks, B.W. (ed.). Viral Applications of Green Fluorescent Protein. Methods in Molecular Biology Volume 515. Springer, Berlin, Germany, Chapter 20, 287-297.
• Torrance, L. (2008) Pomovirus., In: Mahy, W.J. & van Regenmortel, M. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Virology. 3rd edition. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 282-287
• Taliansky, M.E.; Torrance, L. (2008) Plant virus movement., In: Harper, D. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, A20711
• Taliansky, M.E.; Torrance, L.; Kalinina, N.O. (2008) Role of plant virus movement proteins., In: Foster, G.D., Hong, G., Johansen, I.E. & Nagy, P.D. (eds.). Plant Virology Protocols: From Viral Sequence to Protein Function. 2nd edition. Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, pp33-54.
• Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A.; Torrance, L. (2008) Localisation of viral proteins in plant cells: protein tagging., In: Foster, G.D., Johansen, I.E., Hong, Y. & Nagy, P.D. (eds.). Plant Virology Protocols: From Viral Sequence to Protein Function. 2nd edition. Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, pp463-473.
• Torrance, L.; Koenig, R. (2004) Furovirus., In: Fauquet, C.M., Mayo, M.A., Maniloff, J., Desselberger, U. & Ball, L.A. (eds.). Virus Taxonomy, Classification and Nomenclature of Viruses. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp1027-1032.
• Torrance, L. (2004) Antibody and nucleic acid based techniques., In: Lapierre, H. & Signoret, P. (eds.). Virus diseases of Poaceae (Gramineae). INRA Editions, Paris, pp99-108.
• Torrance, L. (2000) Genus Furovirus., In: Van Regenmortel, M.H.V., Fauquet, C. & Bishop, D.H.L (eds.). Virus Taxonomy, Seventh report of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. Harcourt International, pp904-908.
• Harper, K.; Toth, R.L.; Mayo, M.; Torrance, L. (1999) Selection of anti-plant virus single chain variable fragments from phage display libraries., In: Ziegler, A. & Harper, K. (eds.). Recombinant antibodies-applications in plant science and plant pathology. Taylor & Francis, pp37-55.
• D’Arcy, C.J.; Domier, L.L.; Torrance, L. (1999) Detection and diagnosis of luteoviruses., CABI Publishing, Wallingford.
• Torrance, L. (1999) Pomoviruses (Pomovirus) 327., In: Webster, R.G. & Granoff, A. (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Virology. Second Edition, Academic Press, pp1361-1364.
• Reavy, B.; Arif, M.; Torrance, L. (1998) Early detection of the fungus-transmitted virus, Potato mop-top virus.., In: Manceau, C. & Spak, J. (eds.). Advances in the Detection of Plant Pathogens by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Proceedings COST 823 Meeting, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic 1996, pp17-21.
• Barker, H.; Torrance, L. (1997) Importance of Biotechnology for Germplasm Health and Quarantine., CAB International
• Torrance, L. (1997) Developments in serological methods to detect and identify plant viruses., Kluwer Academic Publishers, London.

Technical / contract reports

• Taliansky, M.E.; Shaw, J.; Torrance, L. (2011) Role of the nucleolus in plant virus pathogenicity., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2010, pp42-43.
• Torrance, L.; Toth, I.K.; Cooke, D.E.L.; Fenton, B.; Blok, V.C.; Lees, A.K. (2010) Risks of new or emerging pests and pathogens posed by environmental change., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2009, pp14-17.
• Torrance, L. (2009) Plant pathology., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2008, pp27-31.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A. (2003) The role of Potato mop-top virus proteins in intracellular movement., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2002/2003, pp104-105.
• Machray, G.C.; Brown, J.W.S.; Oparka, K.J.; Torrance, L. (2002) Mechanisms and Processes., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 2001/2002, pp101-104.
• Ziegler, A.; Reavy, B.; Cowan, G.H.; Mayo, M.A.; Torrance, L. (2000) Heterologous expression systems for the production of functional antibody fragments., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1998/99, pp139-141.
• Torrance, L.; Ziegler, A.; Mayo, M.A.; Toth, I.K.; Blok, V.C.; Duncan, J.M. (2000) New technologies for the detection and identification of pathogens, pests and environmental pollutants.., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1999/2000, pp51-54.
• Torrance, L.; Ziegler, A.; Harper, K.; Mayo, M.A. (1998) Engineered antibodies: readily adaptable tools for basic and applied research.., Annual Report of the Scottish Crop Research Institute for 1997/98, pp111-113.
• Torrance, L.; Robinson, D.J. (1998) Tobacco rattle and potato mop-top viruses: the causes of spraing disease in potato tubers.,

Conference papers

• Kumar, P.; Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Tobin, A.K.; Torrance, L. (2017) Dynamics of plant responses during compatible and incompatible PVY-potato interactions., 20th EAPR Triennial Conference – PVYwide, Versailles, France, 9-14 July 2017. Session Mechanisms of Plant-Pathogen Interactions.
• Burnett, D.; Torrance, L.; Tilsner, J. (2016) Studies on a novel immunity factor for improved virus resistance in potatoes., Crop Protection in Northern Britain Conference, Dundee, 23-24 February 2016, pp287-288.
• Lahuf, A.A.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2014) Identification of sources of resistance to potato mop-top virus and its vector Spongospora subterranea., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Environmental Management and Crop Protection, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee, 25-26 February 2014, pp277-283.
• Lahuf, A.A.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2014) Identification sources of resistance to Potato mop-top virus and its vector Spongospora subterranea., Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Environmental Management and Crop Protection, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee, 25-26 February 2014.
• Torrance, L. (2013) Strengthening potato production in sub-Saharan Africa., Scottish Federation of University Women, 21 February 2013.
• Were, H.K.; Cowan, G.C.; Torrance, L. (2013) Occurrence and distribution of potato viruses in the major potato growing areas in Kenya., 12th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Arusha, Tanzania, 28 January – 1 February 2013.
• Were, H.K.; Olubayo, F.M.; Imbuga, B.; Fenton, B.; Karinga, J.K.; Ochieno, D.W.; Aura, J.; Torrance, L. (2013) Aphids infesting potato in Kenya., 12th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Arusha, Tanzania, 28-31 January 2013.
• Were H.K.; Cowan G.C.; Torrance, L. (2013) Occurrence and distribution of potato viruses in the major potato growing areas in Kenya., 12th International Plant Virus Epidemiology Symposium, Arusha, Tanzania, 28-31 January 2013.
• Torrance, L. (2009) Extreme resistance to Potyviruses in edible diploid potatoes of the Phureja – Stentomum group., Association of Applied Biologists, Advances in Plant Virology, Harrogate, 1-3 April 2009.
• Hopkins, D.W.; Swanson, M.M.; Torrance, L.; Taliansky, M.E.; Daniell, T.J. (2008) Virus-like particles from Antarctic dry valley soil., Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), Polar Research – Arctic and Antarctic perspectives in the International Polar Year, St Petersburg, Russia, 8-11 July 2008.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I. (2008) Potato mop-top virus RNAS display different requirements for long-distance movement., Proceedings of 7th Symposium of the International Working Group on Plant Viruses with Fungal Vectors, Quedlinburg, Germany, 1-4 September 2008.
• Toth, I.K.; Torrance, L.; Fenton, B.; Lees, A.K. (2008) Impact of climate change on pests and diseases of potatoes in Scotland: risks and recommendations., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2008, Dundee, 26-27 February 2008, pp187-192.
• Swanson, M.M.; Daniell, T.J.; Fraser, G.; Hopkins, D.W.; Taliansky, M.E.; Torrance, L. (2008) Virus-like particles from Antarctic dry valley soil., 12th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology (ISME-12), Cairns, Australia, 17-22 August 2008.
• Fenton, B.; Malloch, G.; Torrance, L. (2008) Aphids as virus vectors., Potatoes in Practice 2008, Dundee, 7 August 2008.
• Swanson, M.M.; Fraser, G.; Daniell, T.J.; Hopkins, D.W.; Gregory, P.J.; Torrance, L.; Taliansky, M.E. (2007) Morphological diversity and abundance of viruses in soils., Society General Microbiology 161st Meeting, Edinburgh, 3-6 September 2007.
• Savenkov, E.I.; Cowan, G.H.; Schepetilnikov, M.V.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2007) Evidence of the polar nature of multipartite tubular rod-shaped virus particles and implications for systemic movement, genome integrity and stability., 13th International Conference of IS-MPMI, Sorrento, Italy, 21-27 July 2007.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I. (2007) Analysis of intra-cellular trafficking of Potato mop-top virus movement protein TGB2 reveals novel associations with components of gravity signal transduction and the vesicular transport of auxin., 13th International Conference IS-MPMI, Sorrento, Italy, 21-23 July 2007.
• Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Savenkov, E.I.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2007) Potato mop-top virus; complex movement strategies involve interactions with many cellular components., Botanical Microscopy Meeting, Salzburg, Austria, 31 March – 5 April 2007.
• Torrance, L.; Savenkov, E.I.; Lees, A.K. (2007) Soil-borne virus diseases of potato with particular reference to Potato mop-top virus., 13th EAPR Virology Section Meeting, Aviemore, 17-21 June 2007.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Gillespie, T.; Ziegler, A.; Lacomme, C. (2006) Evidence for a multifunctional role of viral triple gene block proteins in replication and movement., EMBO Workshop in Plant Virology: Suppression and Circumvention of Host Defence by Plant Viruses, Haikko, Finland, 1-5 July 2006.
• Custodio, A.; Novo, C.; Torrance, L.; Ziegler, A. (2006) Single-chain antibodies against an olive tree virus., 11th International Congress of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, Beijing, China, 13-18 August 2006.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Zeigler, A.; Gillespie, T.; Savenkov, E.I. (2006) Comparison of subcellular interactions of the TGB2 movement proteins of Potato mop-top and Barley stripe mosaic viruses reveals subtle differences and an association with sites of virus replication., Plasmodesmata 2006, Pitlochry, 30 July – 3 August 2006.
• Savenkov, E.I.; Cowan, G.H.; Ziegler, A.; Torrance, L. (2006) Cell-to-cell and systemic movement of YFP-tagged Potato mop-top virus., Plasmodesmata 2006, Pitlochry, 30 July – 3 August 2006.
• Haupt, S.; Roberts, A.G.; Cowan, G.H.; Faulkner, C.; Torrance, L.; Oparka, K.J. (2006) There and back again – PD targeting meets vesicle recycling., Plasmodesmata 2006, Pitlochry, 30 July – 3 August 2006.
• Cowan, G.H.; Gillespie, T.; Haupt, S.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Torrance, L. (2006) Potato mop-top virus utilises the endocytic machinery and chloroplasts during replication and movement., International Symposium on Applications of Plant Sciences in Emerging Scenario, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 20-22 March 2006.
• Ghasemi, S.; Wright, F.; Torrance, L.; Izadpanah, K. (2005) Detection and classification of potyviruses causing mosaic disease of sugarcane in Iran using molecular approaches., Second Asian Conference on Plant Pathology, Singapore, 25-28 June 2005.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Haupt, S.; Lacomme, C.; Gillespie, T.; Ziegler, A. (2005) Intracellular movement of triple gene block containing plant viruses., XIIIth International Congress of Virology, IUMS, San Francisco, USA, 23-28 July 2005.
• Haupt, S.; Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Boevink, P.; Gillespie, T.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Oparka, K.J.; Torrance, L. (2005) Plant virus proteins traffic in the endomembrane system., Mini-Symposium on Improving the Plant Secretory System for Nutrition and Health, Grasmere, 23-26 May 2005.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.H.; Haupt, S.; Lacomme, C.; Gillespie, T.; Ziegler, A. (2005) Intracellular localisation and trafficking of viral triple gene block proteins., Proceedings of XII Congress on Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, Merida, Mexico, 12-19 December 2005.
• Torrance, L. (2005) Serological methods., Proceedings Bee Research and Virology in Europe (BRAVE) Meeting, Sophia-Antipolis, 24-26 April 2005.

Conference posters / abstracts

• Raubach, S.; Shaw, P.D.; Brierley, J.; Torrance, L. (2018) Buntata – Potato disease identification on the go., Poster demonstration at Potatoes in Practice 2018, Balruddery Farm, Dundee, 9 August 2018.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.; Roberts, A.; Jones, S.; Kumar, P.; Hemsley, P.; Savenkov, E. (2018) Potato mop-top virus TGB1 co-opts HIPP26 to activate abiotic stress signalling for long distance virus movement., Phytopathology, 108, S1.302. Abstract.
• Skelsey, P.; Lees, A.; Torrance, L. (2017) Blightsense: Development of a rapid biosensor system for in-field detection of Phytophthora infestans., In: Schepers, H.T.A.M. (ed.). Proceedings of the 16th Euroblight Workshop, Aarhus, Denmark, 14-17 May 2017. PAGV Special Report No.18, 239. (Poster)
• Roberts, A.G.; Tillemans, V.; Chapman, S.; McGeachy, K.; Torrance, L.; Brierley, J.L.; Lees, A.K. (2017) New insights into the lifecycle of Spongospora subterranea: a microscope study., In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Powdery Scab Workshop, Einsiedeln, Switzerland, 18-21 July 2016. Potato Research 60, 200-201. Abstract.
• Mitchell, C.A.; Kalies, S.; Cizmár, T.; Bellini, N.; Kubasik-Thayil, A.; Heisterkamp, A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G.; Gunn-Moore, F.J.; Dholakia, K. (2014) Femtosecond optical injection of intact plant cells using a reconfigurable platform., Proceedings SPIE 8972, Frontiers in Ultrafast Optics: Biomedical, Scientific, and Industrial Applications XIV, 89720C, San Francisco, California, USA, 1 February 2014.
• Lahuf, A.A.; Cowan, G.H.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2014) Molecular and microscopic studies on the Potato mop-top virus – Spongospora subterranea interaction., The British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP) Presidential Meeting ‘Some Like it Hot’; St Andrew’s University, Fife, UK, 1-2 September 2014. Poster session.
• Lahuf, A.A.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2014) Identification sources of resistance to potato mop-top virus and its vector Spongospora subterranea., Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Environmental Management and Crop Protection, West Park Conference Centre, Dundee, 25-26 February 2014.
• MacFarlane, S.; Cowan, G.; Al-Abedy, A.; McLean, K.; Bryan, G.; Torrance, L. (2013) A new source of resistance in potato to Potato virus Y., EMBO Plant Virology Workshop, Green Virsuses, from Gene to Landscape, Hyeres-les-Palmiers, France, 7-11 September 2013.
• 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.
• Lahuf, A.A.; Sullivan, .L.; Lees, A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2013) New genetic sources of resistance to potato mop-top virus and its vector Spongospora subterranea., International Advances in Plant Virology Conference, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, 25-27 September 2013. Poster session.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.; McLean, K.; Al Abedy, A.; Macfarlane, S.; Bryan, G. (2012) Novel broad spectrum resistance to potato potyviruses Y, V and A., Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain, Dundee, 28-29 February, 2012.
• Mitchell, C.A.; Kalies, S.; Cizmar, T.; Heisterkamp, A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G.; Gunn-Moore, F.J.; Dholakia, K. (2012) Femtosecond optoinjection of intact tobacco BY-2 cells using a reconfigurable photoporation platform., Scottish Microscopy Group Symposium, 40th, John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh, 14 November 2012.
• Mitchell, C.A.; Kalies, S.; Cizmar, T.; Heisterkamp, A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G.; Gunn-Moore, F.J.; Dholakia, K. (2012) Femtosecond photoporation of intact BY-2 suspension cells., European Optical Society Annual Meeting, Exhibition and Conference Centre, Aberdeen, 25-28 September 2012.
• Torrance, L.; Cowan, G.; Mclean, K.; Al-Abedy, A.; MacFarlane, S.; Bryan, G. (2012) Novel broad-spectrum resistance to potato potyviruses., Phytopathology, 102, 120.
• Mitchell, C.A.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.;G.; Gunn-Moore, F.J.; Dholakia, K. (2011) Development of optical transfection techniques in plant and mammalian cells., Biophotonics ’11, 5th International Graduate Summer School, Island of Ven, Sweden, 14-21 May 2011.
• Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2011) The role of Potato mop-top virus TGB1 movement protein in cell-cell and long-distance transport., Royal Microscopical Society Botanical Microscopy Meeting, 9th, Wageningen, The Netherlands, 16-21 April 2011 (Poster).
• Tilsner, J.; Cowan, G.H.; Wright, K.M.; Ziegler, A.; Roberts, A.G.; Chapman, S.N.; Savenkov, E.; Torrance, L.; (2010) The coordinated action of potato mop-top virus triple gene block movement proteins in cell-cell and long-distance transport., Plasmodesmata 2010, Sydney, Australia, 21-26 March 2010 (Poster).
• Wright, K.M.; Cowan, G.H.; Lukhovitskaya, N.I.; Tilsner, J.; Roberts, A.G.; Savenkov, E.I.; Torrance, L. (2010) The coordinated action of potato mop-top virus triple gene block movement proteins in viral cell-to-cell transport., EMBO Workshop. Genomic Approaches to Interactions between Plant Viruses, their Hosts and their Vectors, Fenestrelle, Italy, 12-16 June 2010 (Poster).
• Gopalakrishnan, V.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2009) Acquisition and transmission of PMTV by Spongospora subterranea., Association of Applied Biologists. Potatoes: Viruses and their Vectors, SASA, Edinburgh, 16 September 2009 (Poster).
• Gopalakrishnan, V.; Lees, A.K.; Torrance, L.; Roberts, A.G. (2009) Acquisition and transmission of PMTV by Spongospora subterranea., 37th Scottish Microscopy Group Symposium, Edinburgh, 4 November 2009 (Poster).