Professor Tim Daniell
School of Biosciences
Chair


+44 114 222 0137
Full contact details
School of Biosciences
A05
Arthur Willis Environment Centre
Maxfield Avenue
ºù«Ӱҵ
S10 1AE
- Profile
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- 2016-present: N8 Chair in Soil Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of ºù«Ӱҵ
- 2016-2019: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade G), The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
- 2015-2016: Adjunct Chair in Rhizosphere Interactions, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of ºù«Ӱҵ
- 2013-2016: Theme Leader – Sustainable Production Systems, (Grade G) The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
- 2011-2013: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade F), The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
- 2009-2011: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade F), Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), Invergowrie, Dundee
- 2000-2009: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade 5/E), Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), Invergowrie, Dundee
- 1997-2000: Research Fellow, Department of Biology, University of York
- 1995-1997: Senior Research Assistant, Biological Sciences, Lancaster University
- 1992-1995: Research Associate, Biological Sciences, University of Durham
- 1992: PhD, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick: Regulation of expression of the glutamine synthetase gln-α gene of Phaseolus vulgaris L., Supervisor: Dr Julie Cullimore
- 1988: BSc (Hons), Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham
- Research interests
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal ecology
My work was amongst the first to apply molecular techniques to the study of this important, but poorly studied, group of fungi. I have demonstrated that diversity is heavily impacted by arable practice, there is host preference in the symbiosis and that mycorrhiza can impact other soil processes. Currently I am involved in projects exploring the dynamics of AM fungal communities across disturbance gradients, the interplay between AMF and fine root endophyte fungi in the arbuscular symbiosis and the role that this symbiosis could play in sustainable agricultural systems.
Soil nitrogen dynamics
I am interested in soil N dynamics with a particular focus on agricultural systems. This has led to an increased understanding of the role of fungi in denitrification dynamics, the role of management in denitrifier and nitrifier community size and structure, the impact of different substrates and to the role of plants and their mycorrhizal status in moderating nitrification and denitrification rates. Much of this work is now reaching fruition with data from projects investigating the role of root exudates and land use in driving N dynamics. Current projects and applications are exploring the possibility that detrimental impacts of agriculture can be mitigated through crop breeding and/or changes in fertilisation practice.
- Publications
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Journal articles
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
Preprints
- Research group
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Postdocs
Sara Moeskjaer 2021 – to present
NERC Newton Funding on two projects: MIDST-CZ – Maximising Impact by Decision Support Tools for sustainable soil and water through UK-China Critical Zone Science and PARAMO – Provisioning of ecosystem services And cultuRAl values in the MOntane tropics.
Anne Cotton 2018 – to present
BBSRC Harnessing integrating disease suppressive microbes and synthetic soils for sustainable, low input horticulture.
PhD students
Saifrun Pervin (Co-Supervisor) Interaction between rice and the nitrogen cycle in paddy soil University of ºù«Ӱҵ Doctoral Academy Fellowship. Registered at the University of ºù«Ӱҵ with Duncan Cameron.
Luke Fountain (Principal supervisor) Promoting microbial nitrogen cycling to improve crop nitrogen availability White Rose BBSRC DTP Studentship with Julie Gray and Duncan Cameron.
Robel Patwary (Principal supervisor) Understanding how the soil microbiome can be used to control greenhouse gas emissions from arable agriculture. Bangladeshi Government Scholarship with Duncan Cameron.
Grace Wardell (Co-supervisor) NERC Exploring the ecological and evolutionary impacts of novel agricultural probiotics on naive microbial communities ACCE Studentship with Ellie Harrison and Euan James (Hutton)..
Nathan Howard (Co-supervisor) Structure and function of mucoromycotina fungi in plants ERC associated studentship with Katie Field.
Emily Magkourilou (Co-supervisor) The role of fungal networks in modulating plant symbioses with competing root symbionts White Rose BBSRC DTP Studentship with Katie Field and Peter Urwin (Leeds).
Yu Zhao (Co-supervisor) Application of earthworm eDNA to assess soil health Self-Funded with Penny Watt.
Technician
Sue Colby NERC Newton MIDST-CZ – Maximising Impact by Decision Support Tools for sustainable soil and water through UK-China Critical Zone Science.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Section Editor for Environmental Microbiology for FEMS Microbiology Letters
- Member of BBSRC pool of experts
- European Science Foundation – Review panel member