Barbara Howlett

Barbara Jane Howlett (/ˈhaʊlɪt/) is an Australian fungal plant pathologist.

Biography

Howlett grew up on a farm, which is a main reason for her interest in agriculture.^[1] Howlett received her BSc with honors from the University of Melbourne in 1970,^[2] her MSc from the Australian National University in 1973,^[3] and her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1981.^[4] She is currently a professor at the University of Melbourne.^[5][6]

In 2011 Howlett led an Australian team of researchers who, along with scientists from the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, sequenced the genome of the blackleg fungus (Leptosphaeria maculans), which attacks canola crops and, in 2003, caused 90% yield losses in parts of Australia.^[7][8] Howlett was able to identify the pathogenicity gene which encodes for isocitrate lyase, an enzyme that is necessary for the fungus to colonize canola.^[9] The research saved canola farmers on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, at least $18 million in 2012.^[10]

She was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2012, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2014, which described her as a "leading international fungal plant pathologist".^[5][11] Howlett is currently a member of the National Science and Technology Council of Australia, which provides advice to the federal government, specifically the Prime Minister, on important scientific and technological matters.^[12]

Publications

Howlett has published numerous scholarly works and edited two books:^[2]

• Evolution of Virulence in Eukaryotic Microbes (2012)^[13]
• Sustainable strategies for managing Brassica napus (oilseed rape) resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker) (2006)^[14]

References

1. "Professor Barbara Howlett". 2019. from the original on 18 September 2020.
2. Howlett, Barbara (2013). "Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). Groupe Consultatif International de Recherche sur le Colza (International Consultative Group for Research on Rapeseed). Retrieved 16 August 2016.
3. Howlett, Barbara Jane (1973), The pollen-wall proteins of Cosmos bipinnatus, retrieved 15 February 2021
4. Howlett, Barbara Jane (1981), Rye grass pollen glycoproteins: Characterization and localization, retrieved 15 February 2021
5. "Professor Barbara Jane Howlett". Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
6. "PROF Barbara HOWLETT - The University of Melbourne". www.findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
7. "Uncovering the genome secrets of the Blackleg fungus". The University of Melbourne Newsroom. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2016. Professor Barbara Howlett from the School of Botany at the University of Melbourne, who led the Australian research team, said the discovery was a significant step towards controlling the rampant Blackleg disease. "The 12,500 genes that constitute the genetic blue print for the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans have been identified and now can be mined to discover how this fungus causes the deadly disease,"
8. Gary, Stuart (21 February 2011). "Canola fungus genome unravelled". ABC Local. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
9. Idnurm, A., & Howlett, B. J. (2002). Isocitrate Lyase Is Essential for Pathogenicity of the Fungus Leptosphaeria maculans to Canola (Brassica napus). Eukaryotic Cell, 1(5), 719-724. doi:10.1128/ec.1.5.719-724.2002
10. "Scientific research leads to disease predication - A boon for Australian canola growers". Royal Society of Victoria. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
11. . American Academy of Microbiology. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
12. "National Science and Technology Council". from the original on 28 February 2019.
13. Sibley, L. David; Howlett, Barbara; Heitman, Joseph (7 June 2012). Evolution of Virulence in Eukaryotic Microbes. John Wiley & Sons.
14. Fitt, B.D.L.; Evans, N.; Howlett, B.J.; Cooke, B.M. (10 June 2006). Sustainable strategies for managing Brassica napus (oilseed rape) resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans (phoma stem canker). Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781402045257.