Personal Details |
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Name | : David J. Messenger |
Email address | : D.Messenger@ed.ac.uk |
Current Postion | : PhD student (2007-2009) and postdoc (2010) |
Previous Postion | : PhD student, joint with Dr. A.McLeod in the School of Geosciences and Dr. Sirwan Yamulki at Forest Research |
"Metabolic basis of the borate cross-linking of rhamnogalacturonan-II, a plant cell wall polysaccharide"
As a postdoctoral researcher on a BBSRC-funded project, I designed novel methods for the detection of polysaccharides and used these to study the kinetics of borate-bridging in vivo.
"Impact of UV-B on the plant cell wall, methane emissions and ROS production"
During my Ph.D., I set up a large scale field experiment in collaboration with Forest Research and discovered a possible UV-B effect on decomposition rate of leaf litter. I was also part of the team who observed for the first time the aerobic production of methane from pectin upon UV-irradiation. I then designed a set of experiments which showed the potential role of reactive oxygen species in this mechanism and its implications for climate change.
2004: As a research assistant in the quality control laboratory for Bayer Cropscience, France, I had the responsibility to check the viability of all pesticide stocks and worked with a team to develop novel pollution detection methods by HPLC.
Keen cyclist, I also play classical guitar in a Guitar ensemble , enjoy hillwalking and photography.