Researcher Highlights: Mark Belmonte
Mark Belmonte Researcher Highlight
Dr. Mark Belmonte is a principal investigator in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Manitoba. He completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. at the University of Calgary before doing his Ph.D. in Plant Science at the University of Manitoba. After postdoctoral training at UC Davis, he came back to take a faculty position at the U. of Manitoba. His research group studies the development and application of next generation crop protection tools using RNA interference. In more simple terms, Mark and his team develop next generation molecular fungicides and pesticides using RNA to protect some of the world’s most important crops.
Mark has developed a passion for systems biology and understanding how all of the RNAs of a particular plant cell affect how plants develop or respond to biotic or abiotic stress genome wide. Through a collaboration with Steve Whyard, also at the University of Manitoba, he realized the potential of RNA as a tool to protect plants from pests and pathogens through our knowledge of RNA interference. They have recently published a review that explores the benefits and opportunities of both host induced gene silencing and spray induced gene silencing for pests and pathogens. Their work was recently featured in a Globe and Mail article highlighting how they hope to revolutionize pest management in agriculture.
When asked about what has been a transformational success in his career, Mark said: “One of the biggest transformative successes was being open to collaboration and thinking outside the box when it came to the application of large scale RNA sequencing data and RNAi. My collaboration with Dr. Steve Whyard has been transformative in that we have worked together for over a decade trying to better understand how we can use our knowledge of RNA and RNAi to protect crop plants from insect pests and fungal diseases. This has lead to a number of impactful publications, patents and patent applications, collaborations with industry partners and the training of dozens of students, technicians, and postdocs. Together, many of these trainees have gone on to meaningful positions in academia and industry and is a joy to watch them all flourish because of their training in our labs.”
Mark lists training students and watching them succeed as the favorite part of his job! He loves to get outside and explore nature. He also curls and has a pottery studio. Mark is an active contributor to RNA Canada ARN: he helped coordinate and then chaired the RNA Canada ARN 2024 conference session on applications of RNA in agriculture and food security!
You can find out more about Mark’s lab and his work at his lab website or on Twitter/X!
