PhD Studentship: Safeguarding wheat yields from cereal fungal invaders

Primary Supervisor - Professor Diane Saunders 

Every year fungal pathogens destroy 10–23% of all major calorie and commodity crops. Traditionally, to limit fungal disease outbreaks resistance genes have been introgressed into crops, which is a slow process, and the resistance conferred is frequently overcome through emergence of new pathogen races. An increasingly attractive alternative is to identify and disrupt disease susceptibility genes (S-genes) that are targeted by plant pathogens to promote their growth and infection. Thus, S-gene disruption often confers broad, durable, non-race specific resistance that is very difficult for pathogens to overcome. We recently identified the wheat isocitrate lyase gene (TaICL) as a potential S-gene that when disrupted prevented infection by the wheat yellow rust pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, Pst). TaICL disruption led to elevation in glyoxylate cycle intermediates, and we found these compounds can also act to inhibit Pst infection. 

The aim of this project is to: (i) evaluate how TaICL disruption leads to reduction in Pst infection progression, (ii) establish whether other genes in the glyoxylate cycle could be manipulated as additional sources of wheat rust resistance, and (iv) determine the breadth and suitability of TaICL-B disruption as a new source of resistance against the wheat rusts and beyond. This project provides a unique opportunity to generate fundamental knowledge with potential for immediate practical application in resistance breeding. While the student will be embedded in the Saunders Lab at the John Innes Centre, which is a multidisciplinary research lab, providing the opportunity to develop extensive skills in a breadth of areas, including plant pathology, molecular biology, cell biology and basic computational biology. 

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2025 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP CASE students undertake a three to 18-month placement with the non-academic partner during their study. The placement offers experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team. Students with, or expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. 

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 28, 29 or 30 January 2025.  

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/ 

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. 

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2024/5 stipend rate: £19,237), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship. 

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