Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
I am primarily interested in how the structure of the plant surface can influence both biotic and abiotic interactions. I use a range of techniques to investigate these interactions including plant molecular biology, optical analysis, biomimetics and animal behavioural assays.
My research group is currently investigating the control of iridescence production in phylogenetically diverse leaves. Very little is known about leaf iridescence despite the fact that is found in at least 64 different species in 26 families. I was awarded an European Research Council (ERC) starting grant, which started January 2011, to look at the mechanisms and development of iridescence production and its genetic basis in Selaginella uncinata. This species can produce a vivid metallic blue iridescence over its surface, dependent on light conditions. The ERC starting grant is a lab-based plant development and molecular biology project focusing on developing Selaginella uncinata as a model system, and will use a transcriptome-based approach to identify the genes controlling the production of iridescence and behavioural methods to determine the impact of iridescence on animal vision.
Other current areas of interest include:
- Plant surface gloss
- The impact of surface structure on plant wettability and temperature
- Plant insect interactions (pollination and herbivory)
- Bee behaviour
- Iridescence in algae
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Network
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BioReplication for Optical Coatings and Light Intendance (BROCLI)
1/08/22 → 30/01/24
Project: Research
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Nanomaterial delivered switches to control synthetic cassettes in plants
31/01/22 → 30/01/23
Project: Research
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Nanomaterial delivered switches to control synthetic cassettes in plants
1/11/21 → 31/10/22
Project: Research, Parent
Research output
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Interactions between color and gloss in iridescent camouflage
Thomas, D. H. N., Kjernsmo, K. M., Scott-Samuel, N. E., Whitney, H. M. & Cuthill, I. C., 14 May 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Behavioral Ecology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
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Beetle iridescence induces an avoidance response in naïve avian predators
Kjernsmo, K. M., Lim, A. M., Middleton, R., Hall, J. R., Costello, L. M., Whitney, H. M., Scott-Samuel, N. E. & Cuthill, I. C., 3 May 2022, In: Animal Behaviour. 188, p. 45-50 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)45 Downloads (Pure) -
Bumblebees can detect floral humidity
Harrap, M. J. M., Hempel de Ibarra, N., Knowles, H. D., Whitney, H. M. & Rands, S. A., 23 Jun 2021, In: Journal of Experimental Biology. 224, 12, 17 p., jeb240861.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Citations (Scopus)70 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Data for Thomas et al - Interactions between color and specularity
Cuthill, I. C. (Creator), Kjernsmo, K. M. (Creator) & Whitney, H. M. (Creator), University of Bristol, 20 Feb 2022
DOI: 10.5523/bris.20z3vcllgiwg32c9te5a23xknu, http://data.bris.ac.uk/data/dataset/20z3vcllgiwg32c9te5a23xknu
Dataset
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Beetle Iridescence Avoidance Response Data
Cuthill, I. C. (Creator), Scott-Samuel, N. E. (Creator), Hall, J. (Creator), Kjernsmo, K. M. (Creator), Whitney, H. M. (Creator), Lim, A. (Creator), Costello, L. (Creator) & Middleton, R. (Creator), University of Bristol, 16 Sept 2021
DOI: 10.5523/bris.32jo661m7sdkw2751vtphaq7vl, http://data.bris.ac.uk/data/dataset/32jo661m7sdkw2751vtphaq7vl
Dataset
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Data from: Colour as a backup for scent in the presence of olfactory noise: testing the efficacy backup hypothesis using bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)
Lawson, D. (Contributor), Whitney, H. M. (Contributor) & Rands, S. A. (Contributor), Dryad, 27 Oct 2017
DOI: 10.5061/dryad.3g591, http://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.3g591
Dataset
Prizes
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L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships
Whitney, Heather M (Recipient), 28 Jun 2011
Prize: National/international honour
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SEB Presidents Medal for Plant Sciences
Whitney, Heather M (Recipient), Jul 2012
Prize: Prizes, Medals, Awards and Grants
Activities
- 1 Fellowship awarded competitively
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ERC Starting Grant - Interdisciplinary study into the functions and development of leaf iridescence - Blueleaf.
Heather M Whitney (Recipient)
1 Jan 2011 → 1 Jan 2016Activity: Other activity types › Fellowship awarded competitively