Indoor vertical farming practiced on a large scale has the potential to improve global access to sustainable sources of food and income, by facilitating the use of land unsuited for agriculture and allowing year-round crop production. The controlled conditions of indoor vertical farms allow the soil-less (i.e. hydroponic) production of crops in a sustainable fashion significantly reducing the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Growing indoors, facilitates the physical exclusion of pathogens, resulting in reduced levels of plant disease compared to traditional farming systems. However, the highly intensive growing environment of indoor farms makes them susceptible to sporadic crop ‘wipe out’ due to ubiquitous pathogens and seed-borne disease. To ensure the long-term viability of indoor vertical farming the development of new strategies for pathogen control that also reduce fungicide use is critical.
The aim of this project is to investigate the use of spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) for the control of oomycete pathogens in indoor vertical farming systems. This technology relies on the topical application of dsRNA onto plants to induce the silencing of virulence-related genes (RNAi pathway) stopping the infection of plants by pathogens. This project brings together expertise and facilities in vertical farming, molecular biology and plant pathogen interactions at Newcastle and Durham, to explore the efficiency of uptake of exogenous dsRNA by different oomycetes species using fluorescently labelled siRNAs and light sheet microscopy. We will also use oomycetes transformed to express fluorescent reporters to explore how silencing different genes using SIGS would affect the infection of plants.
The results of this project will provide a basis for the deployment of SIGS for oomycete control in a number of agricultural systems. Through continuous engagement with industrial partners, the project will ensure the relevance of the research for crop production in indoor vertical farming systems.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with:
· a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees);
· a covering letter – clearly stating your first choice project, and optionally 2nd ranked project, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University;
· copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates;
· a copy of your passport (photo page).
A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply. Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.
In addition to the above items, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (as a Word document) to [Email Address Removed]. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.
Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]. The closing date for applications is 10th January 2022 at 5.00pm (UK time).
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