James Hane

Biography

James’ research encompasses genome analysis of agriculturally-important fungal pathogens and host crop species, and bioinformatic investigation of the underlying biology of their interaction during infection. His research has described the first analysis of the genomes of several species of agricultural and economic importance. They have defined a broad genetic basis for the biological activities of these organisms and formed a major foundational resource that has facilitated numerous subsequent studies by empowering agricultural molecular biologists to adopt high-throughput reverse genetics approaches in the study of these species. James’ research has then taken these resources and via comparative genomics contributed novel insights in the field of fungal genomics. Specifically, the first observation of ‘mesosynteny’ and development of novel algorithms for its characterisation and wider analysis. Also, the development of widely-adopted software for the analysis of a mutagenesis process called repeat-induced point mutation (RIP). These are major drivers of evolution in fungal pathogens and form the pillars of James’ current research into investigating pathogenicity adaptation and developing informed bioinformatics methods to accurately predict fungal genes that cause plant disease. Recently, James and his students have published highly accurate gene-prediction software for fungi (CodingQuarry, by Alison Testa) and are developing other novel techniques including: predicting pathogenicity genes based on predicted 3D structures of proteins and by inspection of RIP-influenced regions of fungal genomes.

Research Interest

Biological Sciences: Bioinformatics, Genomics ans Plant Pathology. Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences: Crop and Pasture Protection (Pests Diseases and Weeds)