Professor Tim Daniell

School of Biosciences

N8 Chair in Soil Microbiology

Prof Tim Daniell
Profile picture of Prof Tim Daniell
t.j.daniell@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0137

Full contact details

Professor Tim Daniell
School of Biosciences
A05
Arthur Willis Environment Centre
Maxfield Avenue
Sheffield
S10 1AE
Profile
  • 2016-present: N8 Chair in Soil Microbiology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield
  • 2016-2019: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade G), The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
  • 2015-2016: Adjunct Chair in Rhizosphere Interactions, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield
  • 2013-2016: Theme Leader – Sustainable Production Systems, (Grade G) The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
  • 2011-2013: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade F), The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee
  • 2009-2011: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade F), Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), Invergowrie, Dundee
  • 2000-2009: Research Leader in Soil Ecology (Grade 5/E), Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), Invergowrie, Dundee
  • 1997-2000: Research Fellow, Department of Biology, University of York
  • 1995-1997: Senior Research Assistant, Biological Sciences, Lancaster University
  • 1992-1995: Research Associate, Biological Sciences, University of Durham
  • 1992: PhD, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick: Regulation of expression of the glutamine synthetase gln-α gene of Phaseolus vulgaris L., Supervisor: Dr Julie Cullimore 
  • 1988: BSc (Hons), Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham
Research interests

Arbuscular mycorrhizal ecology

My work was amongst the first to apply molecular techniques to the study of this important, but poorly studied, group of fungi. I have demonstrated that diversity is heavily impacted by arable practice, there is host preference in the symbiosis and that mycorrhiza can impact other soil processes.  Currently I am involved in projects exploring the dynamics of AM fungal communities across disturbance gradients, the interplay between AMF and fine root endophyte fungi in the arbuscular symbiosis and the role that this symbiosis could play in sustainable agricultural systems. 

Soil nitrogen dynamics

I am interested in soil N dynamics with a particular focus on agricultural systems.  This has led to an increased understanding of the role of fungi in denitrification dynamics, the role of management in denitrifier and nitrifier community size and structure, the impact of different substrates and to the role of plants and their mycorrhizal status in moderating nitrification and denitrification rates.  Much of this work is now reaching fruition with data from projects investigating the role of root exudates and land use in driving N dynamics.  Current projects and applications are exploring the possibility that detrimental impacts of agriculture can be mitigated through crop breeding and/or changes in fertilisation practice.

Publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

  • Dennis PG, Rushton SP, Newsham KK, Lauducina VA, Ord VJ, Daniell TJ, O'Donnell AG & Hopkins DW (2012) Soil fungal community composition does not alter along a latitudinal gradient through the maritime and sub-Antarctic. Fungal Ecology, Vol. 5(4) (pp 403-408) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vink SN, Daniell T, Robinson D & Neilson R (2009) EARTH'S FRAGILE SYSTEMS: THE MACHAIR OF SCOTLAND - A CASE STUDY.. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, Vol. 41(4) (pp 391-392) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Donn S, Daniell TJ, Griffiths BS & Neilson R (2007) T-RFLP approaches to nematode assemblage analysis.. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, Vol. 39(1) (pp 81-81) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Donn S, Griffiths BS, Neilson R & Daniell T (2007) Dna extraction from soil fauna.. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, Vol. 39(1) (pp 81-81) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Neilson R, Hesketh J & Daniell T (2006) Novel application of T-RFLP techniques to characterise the diet of three species of predatory Mononchidae.. JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY, Vol. 38(2) (pp 285-285) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Whigham DF, O'Neill J, McCormick M, Smith C, Rasmussen H, Caldwell B & Daniell T (2002) Interactions between decomposing wood, mycorrhizas, and terrestrial orchid seeds and protocorms. TRENDS AND FLUCTUATIONS AND UNDERLYING MECHANISMS IN TERRESTRIAL ORCHID POPULATIONS (pp 117-131) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cullimore JV, Cock JM, Daniell TJ, Swarup R & Bennett MJ (1992) Inducibility of the glutamine synthetase gene family in Phaseolus vulgaris L. (pp 79-96) RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

Research group

Postdocs

Sara Moeskjaer 2021 – to present

NERC Newton Funding on two projects: MIDST-CZ – Maximising Impact by Decision Support Tools for sustainable soil and water through UK-China Critical Zone Science and PARAMO – Provisioning of ecosystem services And cultuRAl values in the MOntane tropics.

Anne Cotton 2018 – to present

BBSRC Harnessing integrating disease suppressive microbes and synthetic soils for sustainable, low input horticulture.

PhD students

Saifrun Pervin (Co-Supervisor) Interaction between rice and the nitrogen cycle in paddy soil University of Sheffield Doctoral Academy Fellowship. Registered at the University of Sheffield with Duncan Cameron.

Luke Fountain (Principal supervisor) Promoting microbial nitrogen cycling to improve crop nitrogen availability White Rose BBSRC DTP Studentship with Julie Gray and Duncan Cameron.

Robel Patwary (Principal supervisor) Understanding how the soil microbiome can be used to control greenhouse gas emissions from arable agriculture. Bangladeshi Government Scholarship with Duncan Cameron.

Grace Wardell (Co-supervisor) NERC Exploring the ecological and evolutionary impacts of novel agricultural probiotics on naive microbial communities ACCE Studentship with Ellie Harrison and Euan James (Hutton)..

Nathan Howard (Co-supervisor) Structure and function of mucoromycotina fungi in plants ERC associated studentship with Katie Field.

Emily Magkourilou (Co-supervisor) The role of fungal networks in modulating plant symbioses with competing root symbionts White Rose BBSRC DTP Studentship with Katie Field and Peter Urwin (Leeds).

Yu Zhao (Co-supervisor) Application of earthworm eDNA to assess soil health Self-Funded with Penny Watt.

Technician

Sue Colby NERC Newton MIDST-CZ – Maximising Impact by Decision Support Tools for sustainable soil and water through UK-China Critical Zone Science.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Section Editor for Environmental Microbiology for FEMS Microbiology Letters
  • Member of BBSRC pool of experts
  • European Science Foundation – Review panel member