Dr L Dupuy, Dr N Holden
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Background: Microbial activity in soil is essential to nutrient bioavailability, soil biodiversity and fertility. Soil microbiota is carbon starved and microbial populations rely heavily on photosynthates released from plant roots to achieve their functions. Carbon is released in the form of border cells, mucilage or exudates, and microbial species sense and exploit such sources of carbon to proliferate [1]. Bacteria can use various strategies to exploit the carbon compounds released from the root, including surface attachment using flagella or fimbriae, motility or biofilm formation [2]. Plants are also active in the colonization process and control to a great extent the colonization of the rhizosphere. They secrete compounds that stimulate or repress specific members of the soil microbiota [3]. Unfortunately, it has been very difficult to understand how plant and microbe activity interact and contribute to successful colonization of the root surface. Crucial quantitative information is lacking to explain how rapid colonization is taking place on a moving and elongating root tip.
Objective: The objective of this project is to provide a first detailed and quantitative analysis of the mechanisms of early microbial establishment of the rhizoplane. This project will focus on growing root tips, where exudation is high and where root surfaces are mostly free of microbes. The project will build on material and recent technological advances from our labs, inc. plant and microbial genetic material, molecular biology techniques, Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), transparent soil and imaging systems, and models developed recently.
Outcomes: The candidate will receive training in microbiology, plant biology, microscopy, live imaging and the use of mathematical models. The project will provide data on largely unknown processes: how fast microbes attach on the rhizoplane, what are the mechanisms that allow early colonization of the root, what types of plant-microbe communications are involved. Knowledge obtained during this project will have application in the seed coating industry, for example to improve inoculum and plant traits that maintain strong colonization of beneficial root bacteria. Strong interactions are also expected with a Large project from the European Research Council.
Funding Notes
The studentship is funded under the James Hutton Institute/University Joint PhD programme, in this case with the University of Warwick. Candidates are urged strongly to apply as soon as possible so as to stand the best chance of success. A more detailed plan of the studentship may be available to suitable candidates upon application. Funding is available for European applications, but Worldwide applicants who possess suitable self-funding are also invited to apply.
References
[1] Dennis et al (2010) FEMS Microbiol Ecol 72:313-327. [2] Rossez et al (2014) Environ Microbiol 16: 2181-2195. [3] Berendsen et al (2012) Trends Plant Sci 17: 478-486. [4] Schwessinger and Ronald (2012) Annu Rev Plant Biol 63: 451-482. [5] Gourion et al (2015) Trends Plant Sci 20: 186-194. [6] Weston et al (2012) Mol Plant Microbe Interact 25: 765-778. [7] Dupuy & Silk 2015 Vadose Zone J revision.