Mark’s research focuses on plant/microbe interactions at the molecular and cellular level.

The Mark Banfield lab explores the structure and function of intracellular disease resistance proteins (NLRs) – plant receptors which detect non-self molecules released by pathogens on infection.

They also investigate how host-translocated pathogen effector proteins function to promote disease. Understanding the genetic and structural changes involved in plant/microbe interactions informs novel approaches to the challenge of breeding disease resistance in crops such as potato and rice.

The Banfield Lab benefits from close links with colleagues at The Sainsbury Laboratory on the Norwich Research Park.