Role of the Fungal Cell Wall in Plant Pathogen Interactions and Virulence - Biosciences, PhD (BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD Studentship)

The South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP) is a BBSRC-funded PhD training programme in the biosciences, delivered by a consortium comprising the Universities of Bristol (lead), Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, and Rothamsted Research. Together, these institutions present a distinctive cadre of bioscience research staff and students with established international, national and regional networks and widely recognised research excellence. The partnership has a strong track record in advancing knowledge through high quality research and teaching in partnership with industry and government.

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP). Up to 4 fully-funded studentships are being offered to start in September 2018 at the University of Exeter.

Supervisory team:

Main supervisor: Dr Steven Bates, University of Exeter
Co-supervisor: Dr Mike Deeks, University of Exeter
Co-supervisor: Dr Jason Rudd, Rothamsted Research
Co-supervisor: Professor Ken Haynes, University of Exeter

Location: Streatham Campus, Exeter

Project Description:

Food security is one of the most pressing challenges currently facing humanity. The world population is predicted to reach nine billion by 2050, requiring food production to increase by 50% against a backdrop of climate change and the loss of arable land. Despite agricultural advances plant pathogens still account for losses of 10-16% in the global harvest, making the need for new control strategies urgent.

Zymoseptoria tritici is the major cause of wheat loss in the UK, and a major target for the cereal fungicide market. Throughout the infection process Z. tritici remains outside, but in close contact with, the host cell. Therefore the Z. tritici cell wall must form intimate contacts with the host; as such our central hypothesis is that the Z. tritici cell wall plays a vital role in virulence, host recognition and disease.

To address this hypothesis we have three specific objectives:

[1] to undertake the first analysis of Z. tritici cell wall structure;
[2] to determine the importance of cell wall components in virulence through constructing a series of gene deletion
strains lacking the enzymes required for their synthesis;
[3] to determine the relative role of cell wall epitopes in triggering the plant defence response.

Through this project we will therefore fully characterise the cell wall in this important plant pathogen, and determine the importance of cell wall epitopes in both plant infection and the triggering of the plant defence response. Understanding how the pathogen is recognised, and an effective defensive response mounted, could ultimately lead to the development of novel strategies for providing durable plant resistance.


Entry requirements:

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Masters degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification or experience is required.

If English is not your first language you will need to have achieved at least 6.5 in IELTS and no less than 6.5 in any section by the start of the project. Alternative tests may be acceptable, please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/language-requirements/profile-c/.

Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award but no stipend. Applicants who are classed as International for tuition fee purposes are not eligible for funding.

Further information about eligibility can be found in the following document: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/documents/studentship-eligibility-pdf/