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School of Biosciences, Division of
Plant and Crop Sciences
   
   
  
 

Harry Smith

Special Professor, Faculty of Science

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Research Summary

Professor Smith has elucidated the main photosensory mechanism by which plants respond to the light environment. He has shown how developmental responses to shading are mediated by the phytochrome… read more

Current Research

Professor Smith has elucidated the main photosensory mechanism by which plants respond to the light environment. He has shown how developmental responses to shading are mediated by the phytochrome family of photoreceptors. He has been a pioneer in investigation of the spectral signals of proximity to other plants, leading to the concepts of proximity perception, neighbour detection and shade avoidance that are fundamental to the understanding of plant-plant interactions. Through the use of mutants and transgenic plants he has been able to define the respective roles of the family of phytochrome photoreceptors and provided a molecular framework for understanding and manipulating competitive interactions between plants.

Division of Plant and Crop Sciences

University of Nottingham
Sutton Bonington Campus
Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 6327
email: plantandcrop-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk