Researcher Spotlight - Dr Carrie Brady

Dr Carrie Brady is a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England where she leads a growing research group focused on bacterial pathogens of woody hosts and tree resilience.

Her work investigates the microbial diversity and interactions between plant pathogens and host microbiomes, revealing how microbial communities influence disease outcomes and tree health in the face of environmental and climatic change.

She has more than 15 years of experience researching bacteria associated with Acute Oak Decline (AOD), initially on the taxonomy of the bacteria and describing five novel genera and 26 novel species from the AOD lesion microbiome. This research has since evolved to include studies on developing novel screening techniques to detect common AOD bacteria isolated from bark lesions; examining bacterial communication and possible synergistic relationships between the AOD bacteria; routes of infection from possible reservoirs such as rhizosphere soil; and management strategies for oak resilience.

Her latest project, ‘BAC-CHAT: Bacterial density-dependent quorum sensing mechanisms in Acute Oak Decline symptom development’ aims to examine bacterial communication strategies in AOD symptom development. This four-year project, funded by a BBSCR New Investigator grant, will lead to improved understanding of the mechanisms that allow the AOD bacteria to cause disease symptoms on oak.

You can read more about Carrie’s work in our 2024 - 25 Annual Report.