Fleming, Andrew, Professor

Research interests

Our research is focused on understanding the mechanism of leaf development. In particular, we are interested in the interplay of cell growth and division, how these parameters are integrated into the developmental program controlling leaf structure, and the impact the resultant internal cellular architecture has on leaf function- particularly photosynthesis and water-use efficiency.

We take an integrated systems approach, using experimental data derived from advanced imaging, biochemistry and physiology to inform computational models, which we then use to develop testable hypotheses on how structure relates to function, utilising a range of genetic and experimental approaches to alter specific elements of the modelled system.

Over recent years we have developed a keen interest in guard cells, working closely with Julie Gray to investigate how cell wall structure sets the limits for stomatal function and, thus, gas exchange in leaves. This work extends to seeking to understand how stomatal and mesophyll differentiation are co-ordinated, how mesophyll air space is formed, and the control of mesophyll cell shape and separation.

We have a long-standing interest in the earliest phases of leaf initiation and development, including the link between metabolism and development, leading us to projects aimed at elucidating the mechanism underpinning the switch from quiescence to growth in dormant buds.

These projects have allowed us to form valuable collaborations with colleagues around the globe, notably on rice leaf development, as well as the potential translation of our research into agriculture via commercial breeders and UK levy boards.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Featured publications

Journal articles

Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Baillie AL, Dunn J, Wilson MJ, Hunt L, Pajor R, Fradera-Soler M, Rolfe S, Osborne CP , Sturrock CJ et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10(1).
Woolfenden HC, Baillie AL, Gray JE, Hobbs JK, Morris RJ & Fleming AJ (2018) . Trends in Plant Science, 23(9), 822-832.
Lehmeier C, Pajor R, Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Sloan J, Bauch M, Mitchell A, Bellasio C, Green A, Bouyer D , Schnittger A et al (2017) . The Plant Journal, 92(6), 981-994.
Carter R, Woolfenden H, Baillie A, Amsbury S, Carroll S, Healicon E, Sovatzoglou S, Braybrook S, Gray JE, Hobbs J , Morris RJ et al (2017) . Current Biology, 27(19), 2974-2983.e2.
Chater CC, Caine RS, Tomek M, Wallace S, Kamisugi Y, Cuming AC, Lang D, MacAlister CA, Casson S, Bergmann DC , Decker EL et al (2016) . Nature Plants, 2.
Amsbury S, Hunt L, Elhaddad N, Baillie A, Lundgren M, Verhertbruggen Y, Scheller HV, Knox JP, Fleming AJ & Gray JE (2016) . Current Biology, 26(21), 2899-2906.

All publications

Journal articles

Zhang Q, Tian S, Chen G, Tang Q, Zhang Y, Fleming AJ, Zhu X & Wang P (2024) . New Phytologist, 241(1), 82-101.
Sloan J, Wang S, Ngai QY, Xiao Y, Armand J, Wilson MJ, Zhu X & Fleming AJ (2023) . Plant Direct, 7(12).
Durney CH, Wilson MJ, McGregor S, Armand J, Smith RS, Gray JE, Morris RJ & Fleming AJ (2023) . Curr Biol.
Sloan JM, Mujab AAM, Mashitah J, Zulkarami B, Wilson MJ, Toh LS, Nur Zahirah AJ, Afiq K, Asyraf AT, Zhu X-G , Yaapar N et al (2023) . Rice, 16(1).
Xiao Y, Sloan J, Hepworth C, Fradera�\Soler M, Mathers A, Thorley R, Baillie A, Jones H, Chang T, Chen X , Yaapar N et al (2022) . New Phytologist.
Carroll S, Amsbury S, Durney CH, Smith RS, Morris RJ, Gray JE & Fleming AJ (2022) . Curr Biol.
Wilson MJ, Fradera-Soler M, Summers R, Sturrock CJ & Fleming AJ (2021) . Plant Direct, 5(4), e00314.
Caine RS, Chater CCC, Fleming AJ & Gray JE (2020) . Frontiers in Plant Science, 11.
Lundgren MR & Fleming AJ (2020) . The Plant Journal.
Baillie AL & Fleming AJ (2020) . New Phytologist, 225(3), 1120-1126.
Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Baillie AL, Dunn J, Wilson MJ, Hunt L, Pajor R, Fradera-Soler M, Rolfe S, Osborne CP , Sturrock CJ et al (2019) . Nature Communications, 10(1).
Dunn J, Hunt L, Afsharinafar M, Meselmani MA, Mitchell A, Howells R, Wallington E, Fleming AJ & Gray JE (2019) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 70(18), 4737-4748.
Mathers AW, Hepworth C, Baillie AL, Sloan J, Jones H, Lundgren M, Fleming AJ, Mooney SJ & Sturrock CJ (2018) . Plant Methods, 14(1).
Woolfenden HC, Baillie AL, Gray JE, Hobbs JK, Morris RJ & Fleming AJ (2018) . Trends in Plant Science, 23(9), 822-832.
Lehmeier C, Pajor R, Lundgren MR, Mathers A, Sloan J, Bauch M, Mitchell A, Bellasio C, Green A, Bouyer D , Schnittger A et al (2017) . The Plant Journal, 92(6), 981-994.
Fleming A (2017) . Current Biology, 27(22), R1231-R1233.
Carter R, Woolfenden H, Baillie A, Amsbury S, Carroll S, Healicon E, Sovatzoglou S, Braybrook S, Gray JE, Hobbs J , Morris RJ et al (2017) . Current Biology, 27(19), 2974-2983.e2.
Hunt L, Amsbury S, Mitchell AM, baillie A, Afsharinafar M, Swarup K, Denyer T, Swarup R, Hobbs J, Fleming AJ , Gray JE et al (2017) . Plant Physiology, 174(2), 689-699.
Chater C, Caine RS, Fleming AJ & Gray JE (2017) . Plant physiology, 147(2).
Chater CC, Caine RS, Tomek M, Wallace S, Kamisugi Y, Cuming AC, Lang D, MacAlister CA, Casson S, Bergmann DC , Decker EL et al (2016) . Nature Plants, 2.
Amsbury S, Hunt L, Elhaddad N, Baillie A, Lundgren M, Verhertbruggen Y, Scheller HV, Knox JP, Fleming AJ & Gray JE (2016) . Current Biology, 26(21), 2899-2906.
Caine R, Chater CC, Kamisugi Y, Cuming AC, Beerling DJ, Gray JE & Fleming AJ (2016) . Development, 143, 3306-3314.
van Campen J, Yaapar MN, Narawatthana S, Lehmeier C, Wanchana S, Thakur V, Chater C, Kelly S, Rolfe SA, Quick WP & Fleming AJ (2016) . Plant Physiology, 170(3), 1655-1674.
Kasprzewska A, Carter R, Swarup R, Bennett M, Monk N, Hobbs JK & Fleming A (2015) . The Plant Journal, 83(4), 705-718.
Fleming A (2015) . Nature Genetics, 47(7), 698-699.
Wallace S, Chater CC, Kamisugi Y, Cuming AC, Wellman CH, Beerling DJ & Fleming AJ (2015) . New Phytologist, 205(1), 390-401.
Goh H-H, Sloan J, Malinowski R & Fleming A (2014) . J Plant Physiol, 171(3-4), 329-339.
Dorca-Fornell C, Pajor R, Lehmeier C, P��rez-Bueno M, Bauch M, Sloan J, Osborne C, Rolfe S, Sturrock C, Mooney S & Fleming A (2013) . Plant Journal, 76(6), 914-929.
O'Donoghue M-T, Chater C, Wallace S, Gray JE, Beerling DJ & Fleming AJ (2013) . J Exp Bot, 64(12), 3567-3581.
Pajor R, Fleming A, Osborne CP, Rolfe SA, Sturrock CJ & Mooney SJ (2013) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 64(2), 385-390.
Wallace S, Beerling DJ, Fleming A & Wellman CH (2012) . �ձ��ѧ��I, 58(Special), 249.
Goh H-H, Sloan J, Dorca-Fornell C & Fleming A (2012) . Plant Physiol, 159(4), 1759-1770.
Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant J, 71(2), 226-238.
Malinowski R, Smith JA, Fleming AJ, Scholes JD & Rolfe SA (2012) . Plant Journal, 71(2), 226-238.
Fleming A (2011) . Curr Biol, 21(20), R840-R841.
Kuwabara A, Backhaus A, Malinowski R, Bauch M, Hunt L, Nagata T, Monk N, Sanguinetti G & Fleming A (2011) . Plant Physiol, 156(4), 2196-2206.
Malinowski R, Kasprzewska A & Fleming AJ (2011) . Plant J, 66(6), 941-952.
Wallace S, Fleming A, Wellman CH & Beerling DJ (2011) . AoB Plants, 2011, plr027.
Chater C, Kamisugi Y, Movahedi M, Fleming A, Cuming AC, Gray JE & Beerling DJ (2011) . Curr Biol, 21(12), 1025-1029.
Bergmann DC & Fleming AJ (2010) . CURR OPIN PLANT BIOL, 13(1), 1-4.
Backhaus A, Kuwabara A, Fleming A & Seiffert U (2010) Validation of unsupervised clustering methods for leaf phenotype screening. Proceedings of the 18th European Symposium on Artificial Neural Networks - Computational Intelligence and Machine Learning, ESANN 2010, 511-516.
Backhaus A, Kuwabara A, Bauch M, Monk N, Sanguinetti G & Fleming A (2010) , 187(1), 251-261.
Sloan J, Backhaus A, Malinowski R, McQueen-Mason S & Fleming AJ (2009) . Plant Physiol, 151(4), 1844-1854.
Lee YP, Fleming AJ, Korner C & Meins F (2009) . PLANT BIOLOGY, 11(3), 273-283.
Braun N, Wyrzykowska J, Muller P, David K, Couch D, Perrot-Rechenmann C & Fleming AJ (2008) . PLANT CELL, 20(10), 2746-2762.
Reinhardt B, H?nggi E, M��ller S, Bauch M, Wyrzykowska J, Kerstetter R, Poethig S & Fleming AJ (2007) . Plant J, 52(6), 1094-1104.
Beerling DJ & Fleming AJ (2007) . Curr Opin Plant Biol, 10(1), 4-12.
Wyrzykowska J, Schorderet M, Pien S, Gruissem W & Fleming AJ (2006) . PLANT PHYSIOL, 141(4), 1338-1348.
Fleming AJ (2006) . Trends Cell Biol, 16(8), 397-402.
Fleming AJ (2006) . Plant Mol Biol, 60(6), 905-914.
Fleming AJ (2006) . J Exp Bot, 57(1), 25-32.
Fleming AJ (2006) . New Phytol, 170(4), 639-641.
Fleming AJ (2006) . J Plant Res, 119(1), 31-36.
Fleming A (2006) . J Exp Bot, 57(9), 1863-1870.
Fleming AJ (2005) Leaf initiation, differentiation and carbohydrate metabolism. COMP BIOCHEM PHYS A, 141(3), S295-S295.
Fleming AJ (2005) . New Phytol, 166(1), 9-20.
Fleming AJ (2005) . Curr Opin Plant Biol, 8(1), 53-58.
Bariola PA, Retelska D, Stasiak A, Kammerer RA, Fleming A, Hijri M, Franks S & Farmer EE (2004) Remorins form a novel family of coiled coil-forming oligomeric and filamentous proteins associated with apical, vascular and embryonic tissues in plants. PLANT MOL BIOL, 55(4), 579-594.
Kende H, Bradford KJ, Brummell DA, Cho HT, Cosgrove DJ, Fleming AJ, Gehring C, Lee Y, McQueen-Mason S, Rose JKC & Voesenek LACJ (2004) Nomenclature for members of the expansin superfamily of genes and proteins. PLANT MOL BIOL, 55(3), 311-314.
Fleming AJ (2003) The molecular regulation of leaf form. PLANT BIOLOGY, 5(4), 341-349.
Wyrzykowska J & Fleming A (2003) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 100(9), 5561-5566.
Schipper O, Schaefer D, Reski R & Fleming A (2002) Expansins in the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens. PLANT MOL BIOL, 50(4), 789-802.
Fleming AJ (2002) . Planta, 216(1), 17-22.
Fleming AJ (2002) . NATURE, 418(6899), 723-723.
van den Br?le S, M��ller A, Fleming AJ & Smart CC (2002) . Plant J, 30(6), 649-662.
Li Y, Darley CP, Ongaro V, Fleming A, Schipper O, Baldauf SL & McQueen-Mason SJ (2002) . PLANT PHYSIOL, 128(3), 854-864.
Wyrzykowska J, Pien S, Shen WH & Fleming AJ (2002) Manipulation of leaf shape by modulation of cell division.. Development, 129(4), 957-964.
H?nggi E & Fleming AJ (2001) . Planta, 214(2), 326-329.
Reidy B, N?sberger J & Fleming A (2001) . Journal of Experimental Botany, 52(364), 2243-2243.
Pien S, Wyrzykowska J, McQueen-Mason S, Smart C & Fleming A (2001) . Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 98(20), 11812-11817.
Reidy B, N?sberger J & Fleming A (2001) . J Exp Bot, 52(362), 1847-1856.
Reidy B, McQueen-Mason S, N?sberger J & Fleming A (2001) . Plant Mol Biol, 46(4), 491-504.
Pien S, Wyrzykowska J & Fleming AJ (2001) . Plant J, 25(6), 663-674.
Fleming AJ, Caderas D, Wehrli E, McQueen-Mason S & Kuhlemeier C (1999) Analysis of expansin-induced morphogenesis on the apical meristem of tomato. PLANTA, 208(2), 166-174.
Fleming AJ, McQueenMason S, Mandel T & Kuhlemeier C (1997) . SCIENCE, 276(5317), 1415-1418.
Canevascini S, Caderas D, Mandel T, Fleming AJ, Dupuis I & Kuhlemeier C (1996) . Plant Physiol, 112(2), 513-524.
Fleming AJ, Manzara T, Gruissem W & Kuhlemeier C (1996) . Plant J, 10(4), 745-754.
Smart CC & Fleming AJ (1996) . J Biol Chem, 271(32), 19351-19357.
Mandel T, Fleming AJ, Kr?henb��hl R & Kuhlemeier C (1995) . Plant Mol Biol, 29(5), 995-1004.
Smart CC, Fleming AJ, Chaloupkova K & Hanke DE (1995) . Plant Physiol, 108(2), 623-632.
MEIER I, CALLAN KL, FLEMING AJ & GRUISSEM W (1995) ORGAN-SPECIFIC DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF A PROMOTER SUBFAMILY FOR THE RIBULOSE-1,5-BIPHOSPHATE CARBOXYLASE OXYGENASE SMALL-SUBUNIT GENES IN TOMATO. PLANT PHYSIOL, 107(4), 1105-1118.
MEIER I, CALLAN KL, FLEMING AJ & GRUISSEM W (1995) . PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, 107(4), 1105-1118.
Fleming AJ & Kuhlemeler C (1994) . Plant Cell, 6(6), 789-798.
NEUENSCHWANDER U, FLEMING AJ & KUHLEMEIER C (1994) CYTOKININ INDUCES THE DEVELOPMENTALLY RESTRICTED SYNTHESIS OF AN EXTRACELLULAR PROTEIN IN PHYSCOMITRELLA-PATENS. PLANT J, 5(1), 21-31.
Smart CC & Fleming AJ (1993) . Plant J, 4(2), 279-293.
FLEMING AJ & HANKE DE (1993) THE REGULATION OF NAPIN GENE-EXPRESSION IN SECONDARY EMBRYOS OF BRASSICA-NAPUS. PHYSIOL PLANTARUM, 87(3), 396-402.
Fleming AJ, Mandel T, Roth I & Kuhlemeier C (1993) . Plant Cell, 5(3), 297-309.
KUHLEMEIER C, FLEMING AJ & MANDEL T (1993) THE PATTERNS OF GENE-EXPRESSION IN THE VEGETATIVE SHOOT APICAL MERISTEM. J CELL BIOCHEM, 30-30.
Fleming AJ, Mandel T, Hofmann S, Sterk P, de Vries SC & Kuhlemeier C (1992) Expression pattern of a tobacco lipid transfer protein gene within the shoot apex.. Plant J, 2(6), 855-862.
Fleming AJ, Gowing DJG & Hanke DE (1991) . Journal of Plant Physiology, 138(6), 717-721.
Waszczak C, Yarmolinsky D, Leal Gavarr��n M, Vahisalu T, Sierla M, Zamora O, Carter R, Puukko T, Sipari N, Lamminm?ki A , Durner J et al () . New Phytologist.
Xiao Y, Sloan J, Hepworth C, Osborne CP, Fleming AJ, Chen X & Zhu X () . Plant, Cell & Environment.
Cox N, Walker HJ, Pitman JK, Quick WP, Smith LM & Fleming AJ () .

Chapters

Baillie AL & Fleming AJ () (pp. 1141-1176). Wiley
Fleming AJ () (pp. 85-108). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Fleming AJ () (pp. 203-226). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Fleming AJ () (pp. 1-22). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Fleming AJ () , Cell Cycle Control and Plant Development (pp. 203-226). Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Conference proceedings papers

Fleming AJ (2009) . COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, Vol. 153A(2) (pp S175-S175)
Malinowski R, Kuwabara A, Backhaus A & Fleming A (2009) . COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, Vol. 153A(2) (pp S181-S181)
Fleming A (2008) . COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, Vol. 150(3) (pp S142-S142)

Preprints

Zhang Q, Tian S, Chen G, Tang Q, Zhang Y, Fleming AJ, Zhu X-G & Wang P (2023) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Jen S, Saranrat I-C, Ngai QY, Yi X, Jodie A, Wilson MJ, Xin-Guang Z & Fleming AJ (2022) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Waszczak C, Vahisalu T, Yarmolinsky D, Sierla M, Zamora O, Gavarr��n ML, Palorinne J, Carter R, Pandey AK, Nuhkat M , Carmody M et al () , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Research group

Research Fellows

Sam Amsbury (BBSRC Discovery Fellow) Untangling the Plant Cell Wall

Postdoctoral Researchers

Matthew Wilson (BBSRC) - Shape Shifting Stomata: The Role of Geometry in Plant Cell Function
Jen Sloan (Royal Society)- Breeding Rice Resilient to a High CO2 Future

Research Technicians

Marion Bauch (Research Lab Manager): Shape Shifting Stomata
Jodie Armand (Research Technician): Shape Shifting Stomata

PhD students

Sarah Carroll (BBSRC-DTP) - Shifting shape with cell walls: imaging the dynamics of guard cell movement (co-supervisor Julie Gray)
Shiv Gangarparsad (Leverhulme CABM) Spatiotemporal modelling of air channel network function and optimisation (co-supervisors Visakan Kadirkamana & Bryn Jones)
Shauni McGregor (BBSRC-DTP) Investigating the structure of grass stomatal cell walls (co-supervisor Julie Gray)
Tom Grand (BBSRC CASE with AHDB) The mechanism of cell cycle repression by sprouting inhibitors (co-supervisor Lisa Smith)
Saranrat Im-Chai (Thai Government) Using metabolite imaging to test a 3D spatial model of photosynthesis
James Pitman (BBSRC CASE with AHDB) From metabolic markers to growth suppression in potato (co-supervisor Heather Walker)
Shanshan Wang Improving photosynthesis and water-use efficiency in rice
Emma White (BBSRC CASE with RAGT Seeds) Improving water-use efficiency in wheat by modulating leaf structure

MRes and MBiol Sci students

Alexander Williams
Inesh Amaranth
Qi Ngai

Grants

BBSRC Newton Trust, A 3-D model of photosynthesis to Inform breeding for improved rice performance in a changing climate (2016-2019)
Wolfson Foundation, Plant Phenotyping Platform (2016-2017)
BBSRC-iCASE Award, Engineering the rice leaf for improved photosynthesis (2016-2020)
BBSRC-iCASE Award, Imaging Metabolism in Plants (2016-2019)
BBSRC-iCASE Award, Engineering a better wheat leaf (2015-2019)
BBSRC-CASE award, Developmental metabolomics of the meristem (2014-2018)
Gatsby Foundation, Optimising leaf structure for photosynthesis (2013-2017)
BBSRC-CASE award, Optimisation of crop leaf form for improved photosynthesis (2012-2016)
BBSRC, Optimising photosynthetic efficiency via leaf structure (2012-2015)
BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award, Atomic Force Microscopy analysis of plant tissue (2010-2014)
Leverhulme Trust, Molecular analysis of club root infection in Arabidopsis (Co-PI) (2009-2012)
Yorkshire Forward, Optimising fibre quality in renewable energy crops (2009-2011)
European Union, Marie Curie Award, MolCalm (2009-2011)
BBSRC Industrial Partnership Award, Imaging metabolism in the meristem (2008-2012)

Teaching activities

I am a developmental biologist. This involves the study of how something apparently simple (a cell) becomes something incredibly complicated (a mature, multicellular organism) in a robust and reproducible fashion. My interest is in plant development, but one of the lessons of the past decades has been how developmental concepts can be applied across the whole of biology, and it is understanding these unifying (and yet distinctive) approaches to solving common developmental problems that underpin my teaching (and my research).

I currently teach on the following modules:

APS137 Plant Physiology, Reproduction & Growth (module co-ordinator)
APS135 Level 1 Tutorials
APS222 Level 2 Tutorials
APS355 Future Plants: From laboratory to field
APS331 Level 3 Dissertations
APS345 Level 3 Projects
APS402 Level 4 Dissertations
APS406 Level 4 Projects
APS6602 MRes Literature Reviews
APS609 MRes Research Projects
APS6623 Special issues in Global Food Security
APS6624 Crop science, biotechnology & breeding (module co-ordinator)

Professional activities and memberships

Gatsby Plant Science Mentor
Advisory Board ��New Phytologist��
White Rose BBSRC DTP Management Board
Advisor to the Commonwealth Scholarship Committee (2014-present)
Treasurer of the British Society for Developmental Biology (2009-2014
BBSRC PMS committee/committee B core member (2007-2011)
British Society for Developmental Biology, Committee member (2004-2014)
Invited Co-Editor for Current Opinion in Plant Biology (2010)
Associate Editor of Plant Molecular Biology (2009-2013)
The Society for Experimental Biology, Plant Gene Structure and Function Co-Convenor (2006-2010)
Referee for various international journals and funding agencies (2004-present)

Honours and awards

Leverhulme Research Fellow, Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University (2015-16)
Visiting Fellowship, Clare Hall (2015-16)
Director of the Robert Hill Institute (2013-present)
Swiss National Science Foundation START Fellowship (1998-2004)
EMBO Fellowship, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands (1990)
Bye-Fellowship Magdalene College (1986)
Scholarship Magdalene College (1982-1984)

ˮ�˷�

School of Biosciences

School of Biosciences

Professor Andrew Fleming

Featured publications

Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Preprints

Research Fellows

Postdoctoral Researchers

Research Technicians

PhD students

MRes and MBiol Sci students

ˮ�˷�

School of Biosciences

School of Biosciences

Professor Andrew Fleming

Featured publications

Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Preprints

Research Fellows

Postdoctoral Researchers

Research Technicians

PhD students

MRes and MBiol Sci students

Links