Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Putting theory into practice
An expert with an eye on the market
For more than a quarter of a century, Dr. Marie-Pascale Latorse has been based at La Dargoire (Lyon), transforming scientific theory into practical solutions for the farmers. Her track record in fungicide research is impressive: She has made a significant contribution to the market success of fungicides like Fenomen® and fluopicolide.
Dr. Latorse might be a scientist through and through but this does not mean that she sits in an ivory tower. Her passion for plant diseases is down-to-earth and focused on the end result: Growing healthy crop plants. “For me, science is all about meeting the needs of the farmer and helping to retain the efficacy of our products in an integrated, practical way,” she explains. This commitment is an essential part of her current role as laboratory leader and expert in Phytopathology in Biology, Fungicides: Marie-Pascale Latorse and her team evaluate the risk of fungi becoming resistant to new molecules. As part of Life Cycle Management, they also monitor resistance in products already on the market (see box).
Her love of plants took root in her childhood spending time with her family in south-west France. Her later choice of profession was determined during her studies and early career, when she met researchers who were passionate about their work. “Their humility before nature and their enthusiasm for their mission impressed me deeply,” says Marie-Pascale.
Following a PhD in plant biology at France‘s renowned Agricultural Research Institute INRA, Dr. Latorse took a diploma in Agronomy in the King’s Garden School at Versailles. Her interest in both science and the practical needs of the field took her to what was then the Rhône Poulenc research site at La Dargoire. After an internship, she was immediately offered a full time job: “My head of department said my combined research and agronomic engineering background was just the right mix that the company needed,” she recalls.
Marie-Pascale Latorse has remained based at La Dargoire ever since, but like the organisms she studies, she has constantly evolved and adapted to her new positions. As Rice Fungicides Project Leader, she spent several months in the paddy fields of Japan. “It was a culture shock,” she remembers, “I realized that the French and the Japanese approached things in totally different ways. But it was a very positive experience. We had to re-define the fundamentals to clarify our objectives and that’s something I try to put into practice with my team. That way we avoid misunderstandings and focus on achieving those objectives.”
Among Dr. Latorse’s proudest achievements are the registrations of Fenomen® and the active ingredient, fluopicolide, both potato fungicides active against late blight, as well as, among other diseaseslike downy mildew on various crops. She played a key role in the biology that helped determine the mode of action of these Bayer CropScience innovations between 1996 and 2001 and has since continued to specialize in mildew diseases in potatoes and grapevines. Her expertise is recognized by fellow scientists and growers alike: She is a member of both the Bayer Expert Club and the Madame Bintje Fellowship, a group that celebrates one of Europe’s best-loved potatoes.
EXAMINING FUNGI for resistance, Magali Oudin and Marie-Pascale Latorse (from l.) check vine leaves in a fog chamber.
Based in Lyon, at the crossroads of some of France’s best known wine regions, Marie-Pascale Latorse’s close links with Bayer CropScience teams in the field and the customers they serve has also helped make her something of a wine expert. She has a cellarwith over 800 bottles and tasting the world’s wines is one of her main hobbies, along with gardening and hunting for antiques. “I have learned so much from the passionate wine producers I’ve met over the years, so at dinner, people are always asking me to be the one to taste the wine.” That’s the way Marie-Pascale Latorse is; always putting theory into practice!
) |  |
| Marie-Pascale Latorse: Her career has always focused on the science behind practical solutions for agriculture. | |
Her love of plants took root in her childhood spending time with her family in south-west France. Her later choice of profession was determined during her studies and early career, when she met researchers who were passionate about their work. “Their humility before nature and their enthusiasm for their mission impressed me deeply,” says Marie-Pascale.
|  aim to minimize the impact of fungal resistance.')) |
| Monitoring Sensitivity: Marie-Pascale Latorse, Magali Oudin and Virginie Mercier (from l.) aim to minimize the impact of fungal resistance. |
Marie-Pascale Latorse has remained based at La Dargoire ever since, but like the organisms she studies, she has constantly evolved and adapted to her new positions. As Rice Fungicides Project Leader, she spent several months in the paddy fields of Japan. “It was a culture shock,” she remembers, “I realized that the French and the Japanese approached things in totally different ways. But it was a very positive experience. We had to re-define the fundamentals to clarify our objectives and that’s something I try to put into practice with my team. That way we avoid misunderstandings and focus on achieving those objectives.”
 in discussion with team member Laury Chatain')) | |
| TEAMWORK: Marie-Pascale Latorse (left) in discussion with team member Laury Chatain. | |
 check vine leaves in a fog chamber.'))
EXAMINING FUNGI for resistance, Magali Oudin and Marie-Pascale Latorse (from l.) check vine leaves in a fog chamber.
Based in Lyon, at the crossroads of some of France’s best known wine regions, Marie-Pascale Latorse’s close links with Bayer CropScience teams in the field and the customers they serve has also helped make her something of a wine expert. She has a cellarwith over 800 bottles and tasting the world’s wines is one of her main hobbies, along with gardening and hunting for antiques. “I have learned so much from the passionate wine producers I’ve met over the years, so at dinner, people are always asking me to be the one to taste the wine.” That’s the way Marie-Pascale Latorse is; always putting theory into practice!
| Helping crops beat resistance All fungi are able to mutate and may therefore become resistant. This is why Marie-Pascale Latorse and her team must evaluate the risk of resistance in thousands of fungal strains. “Once a fungicide candidate molecule is identified, we collect fungal samples from the field to evaluate their sensitivity to the new active ingredient,” explains Dr. Latorse. “We need a wide enough range of samples to reflect the probability of resistance occurring in reality.” ) FUNGAL RESISTANCE can drastically impact the efficacy, and ultimately, the profitability of a crop protection product. Before the product is launched, the team also determines the level of sensitivity of a given fungal strain at different dose rates to establish the sensitivity baseline of the population of pathogens. This data forms an essential part of the registration dossier. But the work doesn’t end with registration. Fungal mutations can occur at any time and the team continues to track and evaluate resistance throughout a product’s life on the market. When resistance is detected, solutions such as different treatment schedules for different geographies are proposed - this supports resistance management. |
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