Dr Anil Shirsat

• Plant Molecular Biology PhD (University of Durham, Durham, UK)
• Biological Sciences BSc (University of East Anglia)

My background is in molecular biology and specifically in plant molecular biology. Currently, I am interested in the strategies plants employ to resist attack by plants and pathogens, specifically the role of plant cell wall proteins (such as extensin) in this process. 

I teach first year modules on molecular biology, second year modules on detailed applications of molecular biology to medicine and agriculture, third modules on how plants resist attack by pests and pathogens and MSc modules on Plant Biotechnology, and Techniques of Molecular Biology.

All these modules have a strong practical component.

I am willing to supervise a PhD

My research area is in the production of transgenic plants which express proteins which allow them to  to resist attack by plants and pathogens

2016

• Options for Geoengineering the Climate via Microorganisms
  
  Dunn, C, Fenner, N, Shirsat, A & Freeman, C 2016, Options for Geoengineering the Climate via Microorganisms: A Peatland Case Study. in Climate Change and Microbial Ecology: Current Research and Future Trends. Caister Academic Press, pp. 185-200. https://doi.org/10.21775/9781910190319.12

2013

• Identification of promoter regions in the Arabidopsis thaliana atExt1 extensin gene controlling late responses to wounding and pathogen attack
  
  Roberts, KC, Shirsat, AH, Roberts, K, Merkouropoulos, G & Shirsat, A 2013, 'Identification of promoter regions in the Arabidopsis thaliana atExt1 extensin gene controlling late responses to wounding and pathogen attack', Biologia Plantarum, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 341-350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-012-0281-1

2012

• Peatland geoengineering: an alternative approach to terrestrial carbon sequestration
  
  Freeman, C, Fenner, N & Shirsat, AH 2012, 'Peatland geoengineering: an alternative approach to terrestrial carbon sequestration', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, vol. 370, no. 1974, pp. 4404-4421. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2012.0105

2006

• Extensin over-expression in Arabidopsis limits pathogen invasiveness.
  
  Wei, G & Shirsat, AH 2006, 'Extensin over-expression in Arabidopsis limits pathogen invasiveness.', Molecular Plant Pathology, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 579-592. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1364-3703.2006.00363.x
• Increased extensin levels in Arabidopsis affect inflorescence stem thickening and height.
  
  Roberts, K & Shirsat, AH 2006, 'Increased extensin levels in Arabidopsis affect inflorescence stem thickening and height.', Journal of Experimental Botany, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 537-545. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erj036

2005

• Improvements in and relating to plant pathogen resistance.
  
  Shirsat, AH 2005, Improvements in and relating to plant pathogen resistance., Patent No. UK Patent Application number 0513079.4.

2003

• The Brassica napus extA extensin gene negative regulatory region controls expression in response to mechanical stresses.
  
  Shirsat, AH, Thomson, HE & Elliott, KA 2003, 'The Brassica napus extA extensin gene negative regulatory region controls expression in response to mechanical stresses.', Plant, Cell and Environment, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 1647-1655. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3040.2003.01083.x
• The unusual Arabidopsis extensin gene at Ext1 is expressed throughout plant development and is induced by a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses.
  
  Merkoupoulos, G & Shirsat, AH 2003, 'The unusual Arabidopsis extensin gene at Ext1 is expressed throughout plant development and is induced by a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses.', Planta, vol. 217, no. 3, pp. 356-366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-003-1002-y

2001

• Extensin synthesis and cell wall strength – is there a connection?
  
  Shirsat, AH, Brown, KA, Tomos A.D., NV & Shirsat A.H., NV 2001, 'Extensin synthesis and cell wall strength – is there a connection?' Paper presented at Society for Experimental Biology Conference, 3/01/01, pp. 44.
• Transcription factors regulating the plant response to mechanical stress.
  
  Thomson, HE & Shirsat, AH 2001, 'Transcription factors regulating the plant response to mechanical stress.' Paper presented at Society for Experimental Biology Conference, 3/01/01, pp. 51.

2000

• Developmental and stress regulated expression of Arabidopsis extensin.
  
  Shirsat, AH, Merkouropoulos, G & Shirsat A.H., NV 2000, 'Developmental and stress regulated expression of Arabidopsis extensin.' Paper presented at Society for Experimental Biology Conference, 3/01/01, pp. 47.
• Extensins and the mechanics of Arabidopsis cell walls.
  
  Shirsat, AH, Brown, KA, Tomos A.D., NV & Shirsat A.H., NV 2000, 'Extensins and the mechanics of Arabidopsis cell walls.' Paper presented at Society for Experimental Biology Conference, 3/01/01, pp. 47.

I am willing to take on PhD students who are interested in my research areas.

I am interested in the public understanding of science and frequently give invited lectures to local Schools.

I was involved in isolating and investigating the role of cell wall proteins in plant development during my time at Durham University (Prof. Boulter's group) both as a PhD student and as a Senior Demonstrator.