Insects are highly efficient vectors of disease which impact upon human health and food security globally. Highly successful systems such as ‘push-pull’ and ‘speed up / slow down’ for managing insect-plant interactions on crops have driven the applied use of chemical ecology in managing pests. These systems have also highlighted the importance of such natural interactions as potential replacements for insecticides, which are facing large-scale bans, with few alternatives available.
We have recently discovered two distinct and highly complementary processes within Azolla which can be used as biocontrol agents for the management of mosquito populations.
This project will study Azolla-insect interactions, and work towards adapting them for biotechnological applications. Compounds will be identified using tandem GC-MS and GC-electrophysiology, and quantified using insect bioassays. The chemicals from Azolla will be characterised to design strategies for better management of mosquito populations, and to understand chemical ecological processes of plant-insect interactions.
Studentship available from October 2021
Eligibility Criteria:
Minimum of BSc (2:1 or higher) in Biological Sciences or equivalent discipline. Home students only.
To apply please go to https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/postgraduateresearch/studentships/theuseofazollainmanagingmosquitopopulations/
and quote FNS 2021/11 on your application.
Informal enquiries about the project should be made to Dr Thomas Torode ([Email Address Removed]) and Prof Toby Bruce ([Email Address Removed]).
Keele University values diversity, and is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. In support of these commitments, Keele University particularly welcomes applications from women and from individuals of black and ethnic minority backgrounds for this post. The School of Life Sciences and Keele University have Athena Swan Awards and Keele University is a member of the Disability Confident scheme. More information is available on these web pages:
https://www.keele.ac.uk/equalitydiversity/
https://www.keele.ac.uk/athenaswan/
https://www.keele.ac.uk/raceequalitycharter/disabilityconfident/
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