Identification of fruit fly biomarkers using mass spectrometry

We’re looking for students with skills and/or interest in entomology. It’s even better if you have skills in mass spectrometry, biochemistry and proteomics, but if not we can teach you what you need to know. This project is only open to Australian citizens for security reasons.

Project summary: Fruit flies are destructive pests, affecting more than 300 horticultural crops globally. Robust, cost-effective, high-throughput approaches to monitor outbreaks and control measures, can potentially improve determination of risk and responses. 

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) is a mature, reliable, and cost-effective technology, used globally for identification of bacteria, fungi, and mosquitoes. MALDI-ToF MS differentiates targets through comparative analysis of laser-generated ions over a set mass range that is explicitly inclusive of species-specific ribosomal proteins. Rapid, inexpensive species-level identification of all life-cycle stages  

Aim: The aim of this project is to explore the use of mass spectrometry to differentiate species and populations of fruit fly, to detect diagnostic proteins that are differentially expressed according to growth conditions, pesticide resistance, fertility, mating status, or treatment with gamma irradiation. Achieving these aims will facilitate: 

• Determination of fertility and mating status 
• Differentiation of wild populations from laboratory releases 
• Verification of offshore gamma irradiation when live fruit flies are detected in inspections of imported goods 

Approach: You’ll develop skills in the following techniques and approaches as part of this project. 

• MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry (Bruker MALDI Biotyper sirius) to create diagnostic reference spectra and detect potential protein biomarkers 
• Other mass spectrometry approaches for deeper investigation of specific biomarkers 
• Morphological methods with microscopy and dissection to resolve species identity, sex, and mating status of adult fruit fly species 
• DNA sequencing to verify the identity of specimens sourced from surveillance and border intervention 
• Laboratory cultures of fruit fly to enable controlled experimentation 
• Fruit fly control treatments, such as gamma irradiation or pesticides 

You will be based in Sydney and spend most of your time at Mascot at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, where you can access the MALD-ToF instrument required for this project. You will also travel to other facilities in New South Wales where fruit flies are housed/reared. You’ll be enrolled as an off-campus student at The Australian National University, and we’ll cover travel to Canberra each year to meet with your university supervisor for your candidature requirements.

As a student in the Training Centre, we’ll also cover your travel to Centre Forums, Training Retreats, and conferences. This will include networking with like-minded people by the beach in tropical North Queensland, in the bush outside Canberra, and in capital cities around Australia.

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Embark on a career-defining journey with this PhD project. You’ll acquire the skills and networks necessary to secure positions in government, industry, or academia upon graduation. With the confidence to advance into diverse, rewarding leadership roles with excellent earning potential, you’ll be well-prepared for your future. 

As a PhD student in the ARC Training Centre in Plant Biosecurity, you’ll join a collaborative research partnership between three universities and over 20 partner organisations, funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Expressions of Interest are open until 30 September 2024: https://plantbiosecuritycentre.edu.au/identification-of-fruit-fly-biomarkers-using-mass-spectrometry/