Massimo and I first met in Kyoto at an International workshop I organised relating to where research into multitrophic interactions (interactions involving organisms throughout a food-chain) research was heading in the 21st Century. We had conversed before via email in relation to my joining the editorial board of a new journal called Plant Interactions which is edited by Massimo. In Kyoto it became very clear that our skills were very complimentary and we could initiate a significant research collaboration. Crop Productivity and Protection remains one of the greatest challenges facing us all as the climate changes and our population continues to increase. Thus, our research into understanding the diversity of plant defence systems against pests offers the opportunity to not only answer the age-old question why the planet is still green when there are so many herbivores but also allows us the opportunity to develop novel and sustainable ways of protecting our crops.

During this collaboration we will exchange PhD, Post-docs and faculty members. This will allow transfer of skills and expertise and we are excited about being the first team in the world to identify the rapid response of plants to aphids (greenfly/blackfly). Understanding this interaction will not only give us tremendous insight into the diversity of interactions involving these complex and highly destructive insects, but will allow us to develop new and important ways of addressing one of Europe’s greatest agricultural problems. By the end of the collaboration we hope to deliver the following: exchange of skills; hig quality publications; foundations for grant applications; opportunity to develop translational research from our scientific discoveries.