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Bettina Otto
Email:
B.Otto@greenwich.ac.uk
Post-doctoral Research Fellow,Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway
Bettina Otto started her first research fellowship in molecular plant virology at the Natural
Research Institute (NRI) in January 2010, which was grant-funded directly by NRI. She is
particularly interested in this position because it provides her with an opportunity to work
in Africa and to put the skills gained in her PhD studies to a practical use. Otto’s fellowship
supports current work on viruses affecting cassava and sweet potato in Africa, particularly
in East Africa. With funding from BBSRC SARID, Dr. Otto partners with a Ugandan
PhD student for her work on sweet potato viruses links closely with that of a Ugandan
PhD student. Her work on cassava viruses focuses on Cassava brown streak virus and
contributes to the Great Lakes Cassava Initiative.
Previously, Otto was at the University of Cambridge where she completed her PhD in molecular
plant virology. She investigated the role of phytate (InsP6) and its involvement in basal plant
resistance in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and in potato. Dr. Otto used low phytate and
wildtype control plants and investigated resistance responses in these plants to various viral and non-
viral pathogens. She focused on plant viruses and used various RNA viruses, such as Cucumber
mosaic virus, Potato virus Y and a DNA virus (Cauliflower mosaic virus). She has also investigated
the possible relationship of salicylic acid (SA) and phytate after a compatible pathogen response by
measuring SA and phytate levels. During her PhD, Otto discovered that certain pools of phytate are
needed in maintaining normal levels of basal plant resistance in potato and Arabidopsis, independent
of SA. This result shows a possible new mechanism of maintaining a part of basal plant defense
which is independent of SA.
Dr. Otto has presented her research at scientific conferences in the field of plant virology
(Advances in Plant Virology conferences) organized by the Association of Applied Biologists in
2007 and 2009. Otto has also designed and presented a poster on her research and was awarded
the departmental prize for best poster during the second year of her PhD. She has published part
of her research findings and is currently involved in writing two further publications of her work.
Over the last four years Otto’s interest in research and the aim to continue working in research has
increased; she is especially interested in plant virology and its applied uses, particularly in support of
development.
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Dr. Bettina Otto
Country
of birth:
Nationality:
Position
Title: Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Institution:
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich at Medway
Contact Address:
Natural Resources Institute,
University of Greenwich at Medway
Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime
K
Email:
B.Otto@greenwich.ac.uk
Tel: +44 7766 266123
Fax: -
Specialty Area:
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Molecular Plant Virology
Education:
Ph.D., Molecular Plant Virology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Positions
held (since terminal degree):
January 2010 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Natural Resources Institute, University ofGreenwich at Medway, United Kingdom
Expertise:
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Basal plant resistance in potato and Arabidopsis
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Cassava and sweet potato viruses
Honors
and Awards (since terminal degree):
A selection of major
research accomplishments:
Discoveries and first reports
1)
1. Research revealed certain pools of phytate are needed in maintaining normal levels of basalplant resistance in potato and Arabidopsis, independent of SA. This result shows a possiblenew mechanism of maintaining a part of basal plant defense which is independent of SA.
A
Selection of refereed journal publications (2002-present)
Murphy A.M., Otto B., Brearley C.A., Carr J.P., and Hanke D.E. 2008. A role for inositolhexakisphosphate in the maintenance of basal resistance to plant pathogens. Plant Journal 56(4):638-52.
Book chapters:
Invited
presentations at major international conferences (2002-present-Maximum 8)
Research
Grants (2004 – present):
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Funding source
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Grant Title (Principal investigators)
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Amount US$
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This database is supported with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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