Characterisation of major genes (Stb)-mediated resistance to Septoria tritici blotch disease in wheat

Applications are invited to join the University of Nottingham BBSRC iCASE Studentship to undertake an innovative four-year PhD training programme.

Project description

Wheat is one of the most important staple food crops in the world. Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is a devastating globally important disease of wheat. Natural resistance to STB is an important target in wheat breeding. Twenty-one major resistance genes (Stb) have been identified, however only one has so far been cloned1, for many others only a low resolution genetic maps are available, and mechanisms of resistance remain poorly understood. Moreover, it is not known whether any of these genes is present in the UK commercial wheat, or how effective these may be in controlling STB under UK conditions. This project, through partnership with wheat breeders RAGT Seeds, aims to fill this significant void in research by enhancing our understanding of genetics and mechanisms of resistance controlled by Stb genes, and evolution of virulence in current fungal populations toward each of these genes.

This project will be based at Rothamsted Research and will be supervised by Dr Kostya Kanyuka. The supervisory team will also include an industrial and academic co-supervisors Dr Ruth Bryant (RAGT Seeds Ltd) and Dr Rumiana Ray (School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham).

Applications are invited from students who have/expect to graduate with a first/upper-second UK honours degree, or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. Students with an appropriate Masters degree are particularly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Applicants should go to https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bbdtp/icase-studentships/icase-studentships.aspx to download the specifc application and reference forms. Applications should include: a fully completed application form; a CV of no more than two A4 pages; a transcript of module marks achieved at the time of submission; and two references. Application forms and CVs should be named in the following format: SURNAME-initial-DTP_BBSRC_iCASE-application.doc (.docx or .pdf) and SURNAME-initial-BBSRC_iCASE-cv.doc (.docx or.pdf) e.g. SMITH-A-BBSRC_iCASE-application.doc

Applications should be sent via email with the subject line ‘BBSRC iCASE Studentship’ to the Studentship Officer (Donna Fellowes; [Email Address Removed]) by the deadline: noon, 26th April 2018.

References should be sent directly from the referees to the Studentship Officer (Donna Fellowes; [Email Address Removed]) by the deadline: noon, 26th April 2018. Please note it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the references are sent in good time for the deadline. Further details are on the reference form.

Enquiries should be sent to: Kostya Kanyuka ([Email Address Removed])

Please quote ref: BBSRC iCASE