Pollen-Pistil communication strategies during plant reproduction: Acceptance or Rejection

Fertilization in higher plants is the result of a series of successful interactions between pollen and pistils of the same species. An understanding of pollen tube growth and the interactions of pollen and growing pollen tubes with the pistil is fundamental to basic plant sciences. Sexual reproduction in flowering plants involves species specific communication events. Upon pollen landing, pollen and pistil are being recognized as 'own' or 'foreign' which results in acceptance or rejection, respectively. After a successful pollination and compatible interaction between growing pollen tubes and several pistil tissues, fertilization occurs and portions of the pistil develop into a fruit containing the seeds. Although significant progres has been made in our understanding of which & how pollen and pistil proteins play a role in the communication between both partners during compatible pollen pistil interactions, yet very little is known about how male and female partners of different plant species discriminate between own and foreign. In my lab, we investigate the mechanisms of pollen and pistil acceptance and rejection during plant reproduction by identifying pistil and pollen proteins involved in these processes. Furthermore we try to characterize pollen and pistil proteins that mediate successful pollen-pistil interactions and in a species-specific manner.

Candidate requirements

A 1st or Upper 2nd class UK honours degree or equivalent. Please visit School of Biosciences Postgraduate Research for more details.

For those whose first language is not English, IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or equivalent. Please see our English Language Requirements guidance for more details.

How to Apply 

To submit a formal application via Cardiff University’s online application service, click the 'Institution Website' button on this advert; in the ‘Apply’ box at the top-right of the page, select Qualification (Doctor of Philosophy), Mode of Study (Full Time) and Start Date (this can be flexible as it is a self-funded project). This will take you to the application portal.

Candidates must submit the following:

 • Supporting statement

 • CV

 • Qualification certificates

 • Proof of English language (if applicable) 

In the research proposal section of the application, specify the project title and supervisors of the project. In the funding section, specify that you will be self-funding. If you are applying for more than one Cardiff University project with the same entry intake, please note this in the research proposal section as the form only allows you to enter one title.