PhD Research Project

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Filling a gap in immunity: Investigating the mechanisms of symbiont mediated resistance to fungal pathogens

Institution:

University of Liverpool

Dept/School/Faculty:

Institute of Integrative Biology

PhD Supervisor:

Dr AC Darby

Co-Supervisor:

Prof G Hurst

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

Aphids are one of the world’s major insect pests, causing serious economic damage to crops worldwide. The most common form of aphid control is chemical insecticides. Whilst these are effective, their use is increasingly compromised by resistance in the insect target. There is also a social and political trend to decrease the use of chemicals and promote the use of more environmentally friendly biological control agents.

Entomopathogenic fungi are a potential control agent, because they contribute to rapid declines in aphid populations in natural populations. However using fungal agents is complex and we understand very little about how aphids respond to these pathogens. The Pea aphid genome project revealed that aphids don’t have most of the genes previously thought to be important for the recognition, signaling and killing of microbes in insects. There is also very little evidence that aphids have a dramatic immune response when challenged by pathogens.

Whilst aphids do not have a ‘classical’ immune system, it is clear they are not defenseless and show resistance to a number of natural enemies, including entomopathogenic fungi. This resistance is not due to the insect genotype but is determined by the presence of secondary symbiotic bacteria such as Regiella insecticola. Although the role of R. insecticola in resistance to fungal infection is well established, the mechanism by which resistance is delivered is not understood.

The aim of this PhD project is to understand how R. insecticola makes aphids resistant to fungal pathogens. The project will use high-throughput sequencing, comparative genomics and expression analysis to identify and describe bacterial and insect genes involved in the process.

Training:
The student will gain specific training the area of genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. This will involve:
a) Attending courses on bioinformatics and PERL scripting as necessary;
b) Application of these to the problem under study.

In addition, the project will train the student in:
a) general molecular biological skills;
b) bacteria and insect cell culture.

Funding Notes:

This project may be eligible for a BBSRC studentship which is available to students from the UK (stipend and fees) or EU (fees only). Alternatively the project will have to be self funded or for those with an appropriate fellowship.