About the Project
Many plants emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which elicit physiological responses in neighbouring plants and interacting organisms. The Receiver Plants respond to these volatile cues by regulating their defences and growth-related metabolism, with effects scaling from individuals to communities. Many plants release specialised VOCs known as Herbivore Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs) which can induce and prime defences in receiver plants. This dual response has emerged as a fundamental but poorly understood property of plant-herbivore interactions.
There is growing evidence that the formation of an epigenetic memory enables defence priming, which may cause long-lasting resistance and play a crucial role in the resilience of perennial plant species such as forest trees. Research using volatilome experiments indicate that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) HIPVs induced by the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) elicit a dual response in naïve receiver plants. As observations were made only over a short time frame, the establishment of an epigenetic memory remains untested, and would be crucial for real world impacts. Interestingly, known chemical elicitors trigger long-lasting primed defences Pines and other trees and increase resistance to H. abietis, and may serve as a control to investigate the molecular basis and ecological consequences of HIPV induced memory.
Aims
We aim to elucidate the mechanisms of the dual response, particularly the defence priming effects, both within and across species, by investigating HIPV-based communication among tree host species in response to herbivory by Hylobius abietis.
- Objective 1. Cross-species communication. Hylobius feeds on several hosts including conifers and selected broadleaf species, which suggest that cross-talk may occur between species. The project will investigate whether pine HIPVs trigger the dual response in other conifers including spruce and juniper) and in broadleaf species including beech and birch. Reciprocal communication may also be explored.
- Objective 2. Determine to what extend primed defences are long-lasting after the exposure to HIPVs. The project will first establish how long the effects are observed within the same growing season, and the evaluate if they are maintained through dormancy and into following growing seasons.
- Objective 3. Investigate the epigenomic basis of defence priming. The expected genomic changes that are indicative of the establishment of an epigenetic memory include histone modifications and DNA hypomethylation at genetic loci required for the resistance response.
The project will aim to identify the genome regions and individual genes associated with theses changes and evaluate to what extent the accessibility and expression responsiveness are altered.
Methods
The project will use volatilome experiments to test HIPV effects. H. abietis bioassays will serve to measure the level of susceptibility or resistance in the different hosts. The project will use a multi-omic approach combining RNA-Sequencing to measure gene expression, histone modification using methods such as ATAC-Seq and Cut & Tag, and DNA methylation using long-read DNA sequencing.
Project code
JM01
Funding
This project is part of the DPhil in Biology programme, and is not a funded course at the University of Oxford; as such, students are expected to explore options for funding. However, we anticipate being able to offer around 6 full graduate scholarships to incoming DPhil students in 2027/28.
You will be automatically considered for several Oxford scholarships, which cover fees and stipend, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by 6 January 2026. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and potential to excel as a DPhil student.
For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit the graduate study information on our website.
Eligibility
For full entry requirements and eligibility information, please see the main admissions page.
How to apply
The deadline for applications for 2027/28 entry is 6 January 2027. We will continue to accept applications submitted after this date, but these late applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.
You can find the admissions portal and further information about eligibility and the DPhil in Biology Programme at the University's graduate admissions page. Please quote the Project Reference Code alongside the title in the 'Proposed field and title of research project, if applicable' field in the application form.
Institution website: https://www.biology.ox.ac.uk/dphil
