MSc by Research: Jasmonate control of barley development

From the earliest farmers to modern plant breeders, humans have continually modified the body plan of cereals, sometimes drastically, to generate higher grain yields. Excitingly, recent work in the McKim lab suggests that architecture in barley, a key global crop, is controlled by jasmonate, a classic plant stress/defence hormone (Patil et al., 2019). However, we don’t know how other pathways controlling architecture interact with jasmonate or whether environmental cues use jasmonate to control barley development. In this project, the student will use genetic analyses and physiological experiments to understand how the jasmonate pathway controls development in barley. The student will also explore how jasmonate may alter susceptibility to pathogens and pests. Taken together, you will reveal the developmental roles of jasmonate in barley and advance our understanding of interactions which influence stem elongation and flowering. 

Students with a passion for research who are motivated by a desire to improve food security are the best fit for this project. The student will also benefit from a unique training environment offered by the Division of Plant Sciences, based at the James Hutton Institute (JHI), one of the best centres in the world to study cereals, and the site of the new International Barley Hub (2). 

Please see our website for further details on the programme:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

You apply for this course using our Direct Application System. Once you've signed up for an account you'll be asked to search for a course.

https://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pgr/research-areas/life-sciences/

To find Life Science MSc by Research you should select the following options:

· Course type: Research Postgraduate

· Keyword: Life

When you complete your form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.