Eric Holub's Biography

Eric Holub, Translational Plant Geneticist , Warwick University

Professor Holub is an expert in applied, molecular and ecological genetics of innate defence in plants. He trained in legume pathology and breeding in the US, completing research that catalysed a public-commercial partnership with all regional seed companies for release of multiple disease resistance in alfalfa forage varieties. His genetics career began in the UK as an AFRC funded postdoc with Professor Ian Crute at East Malling Research Station, where they established experimental models in Arabidopsis thaliana for molecular investigation of resistance to two highly specialised pathogens (Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis and Albugo laibachii). This led to numerous publications on R-gene mediated resistance, defense signaling and pathogen avirulence with UK and international collaborators. His work with PhD students launched molecular genetics of avirulence in H. arabidopsidis, and catalysed a UK-USA collaborative effort to generate to first reference genome of a downy mildew pathogen. Professor Holub’s transition to using crop pathogens in A. thaliana research began with A. candida, which led to molecular characterisation of a broad spectrum resistance gene WRR4 that has potential use in transgenic brassica crops; in collaboration with researchers at Agriculture & AgriFoods in Canada. A high quality reference genome for A. candida pathotype 2V has now been generated from this collaboration. UK-DEFRA funded projects have enabled parallel research on white rust and downy mildew resistance in vegetable brassicas.