Exploring the basis of pathogenicity in a foliar forest pathosystem.
PhD project description:
The pine needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum causes one of the most important pine diseases worldwide and its increased prevalence in the Northern hemisphere has been associated with climate change. The genome of this pathogen was recently sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute (USA) as part of an initiative by the Dothideomycetes Comparative Genomics Consortium (DCGC). The availability of this sequence means it is now possible to take a systems approach to determining the genetic basis of pathogenicity in this pathosystem. Key genes of interest such as those involved in secondary metabolism, hydrophobicity and effector regulation will be studied in this project.
Comparative genomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses with the closely-related tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum will be used to help identify further candidate pathogenicity genes. A sub-set of these genes will be selected for functional analysis. Gene function will be determined using a combination of methods including targeted gene knockouts, microscopy and in planta studies.
This work is expected to lead to identification of genes and gene products that can be used for disease resistance screening in pines and/or for development of targeted approaches to disease management.
The project is based in the Institute of Molecular BioSciences at Massey University, Palmerston North in the laboratory of Associate Professor Rosie Bradshaw. Collaborators in the project are Dr Rebecca McDougal of the Scion Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, and Professor Pierre de Wit of Wageningen University, The Netherlands. The project is funded by a Tertiary Education Commission grant to the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection technologies.
For more information about the project please refer to the IMBS website at http://imbs.massey.ac.nz/ or contact Associate Professor Rosie Bradshaw ([email protected]). Applicants should have, or expect to have, a first or upper second class honours degree, experience in bioinformatics, a strong interest in computer-based data analysis and preferably a background in molecular biology, fungal genomics and/or plant pathology.
How to A pply
Applicants should submit the following to Associate Professor Rosie Bradshaw ([email protected]:
- a Curriculum vitae
- a covering letter explaining why you are interested in this project and outlining what relevant experience you have
- contact details of at least two referees
Please check that you fulfill the Massey University admission requirements for PhD studies prior to submitting an application:
(http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/admission/entry- requirements/eligible_home.cfm).
Minimum English language requirements for International applicants are detailed at http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/international/postgraduate/entrance-
requirements/en/entrance-requirements_home.cfm
For general enquiries about international admissions please contact the International Office ([email protected]).