Katherine Lester

Molecular Entomologist

Telephone Number
+44(0)131 244 6347

Research interests/Areas of expertise

The insect vectors of Xylella fastidiosa
Molecular entomology

Biography

Joined SASA in 2017 to lead Euphresco research project (Xylella and its insect vectors) investigating the biology of potential vectors of Xylella in Scotland and the role they might play in spread of disease. Recent research collaborations include a BBSRC funded project called BRIGIT researching vector borne disease of plants. I also provide molecular biology support at SASA identifying plant pests and pathogens.
2001-2017: I worked at Marine Scotland monitoring and researching fish disease (viral, bacterial and parasitic) in aquaculture. I was involved in projects funded by NC3R, Targetfish and BBRSC/NERC developing novel cell lines, both primary and transgenic, for use in the development of novel vaccines and for functional virological and immune studies; ultimately to improve monitoring and control of disease within the Scottish Aquaculture industry.
1996-2000: Graduated from Aberdeen University with a Zoology degree and went on to obtain an MRes at Stirling University (2007): “Primary cell cultures from Cod (Gadus morhua) and Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)".

Publications

Lester K, Murphy K, McCluskey A, Cairns R, Fraser K, Kenyon D. 2020. Xylella fastidiosa: An overview of research at SASA. Proceedings Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2020. :45-50.
Noguera P, Grunow B, Klinger M, Lester K, Collet B, del-Pozo J. 2017. Atlantic salmon cardiac primary cultures: An in vitro model to study viral host pathogen interactions and pathogenesis. PLoS ONE. 12(7):e0181058.
Collet B, Collins C, Lester K. 2017. Engineered cell lines for fish health research. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 80:34-40.
Matejusova I, Hall M, McBeath AJA, Urquhart K, Simons J, Fordyce MJ, Lester K, Ho Y-M, Murray W, Bruno DW. 2016. Susceptibility of goldsinny wrasse, Ctenolabrus rupestris L. (Labridae), to viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) genotype III: Experimental challenge and pathology. Veterinary Microbiology. 186:164-173.
Fourrier M, Lester K, Markussen T, Falk K, Secombes CJ, McBeath A, Collet B. 2015. Dual mutation events in the haemagglutinin-esterase and fusion protein from an infectious salmon anaemia virus HPR0 genotype promote viral fusion and activation by an ubiquitous host protease. PLoS ONE. 10(10):e0142020.
Fourrier M, Lester K, Thoen E, Mikalsen A, Evensen O, Falk K, Collet B, McBeath A. 2014. Deletions in the Highly Polymorphic Region (HPR) of Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus HPR0 haemagglutinin-esterase protein enhance viral fusion and influence the interaction with the fusion protein. Journal of General Virology. 95(5):1015-1024.
Collet B, Urquhart K, Noguera P, Larsen K, Lester K, Smail D, Bruno D. 2013. A method to measure an indicator of viraemia in Atlantic salmon using a reporter cell line. Journal of Virological Methods. 191(2):113-117.
Matejusova I, Lester K, Li Z, Bravo J, Bland F, Collet B. 2013. Comparison of complete polyprotein sequences of two isolates of salmon alphavirus (SAV) type I and their behaviour in a salmonid cell line. Archives of Virology. 158(10):2143–2146.
Lester K, Hall M, Urquhart K, Gahlawat S, Collet B. 2012. Development of an in vitro system to measure the sensitivity to the antiviral Mx protein of fish viruses. Journal of Virological Methods. 182(1-2):1-8.
Collet B, Lester K. 2011. Establishment of a Chinook salmon cell line with an inducible gene expression system. In vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology – Animal. 47(10):695–697.
Collet B, Lester K. 2011. Establishment of an Atlantic salmon kidney cell line with an inducible gene expression system. Journal of Biotechnology. 154(4):209-211.
Chang MX, Collet B, Nie P, Campbell S, Lester K, Secombes CJ, Zou J. 2011. Expression and functional characterization of the RIG-1 like receptors MDA5 and LGP2 in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Journal of Virology. 85(16):8403-8412.
Lester K, Black J, Bruno DW. 2011. Prevalence of salmonid alphavirus in Scottish fish farms from 2006 to 2007. Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists. 31(5):199-204.
Noguera P, Collins C, Bruno D, Pert C, Turnbull A, McIntosh A, Lester K, Bricknell I, Wallace S, Cook P. 2009. Red vent syndrome in wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in Scotland is associated with Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 87(3):199-215.
Bowden TJ, Lester K, MacLachlan P, Bricknell IR. 2000. Preliminary Study Into the Short Term Ef fects of Adjuvants on Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.).. Bulletin of the European Association of Fish Pathologists. 20(4):148-152.