Host/parasite studies of a biological control agent of slugs

About the Project

Slugs are serious pests in both agriculture and horticulture and are a persistent problem for home gardens. They are usually controlled by pesticide pellets containing metaldehyde or ferric phosphate but these can have negative side effects on non-target organisms, including pets and wildlife (so much so metaldehyde has been banned in the UK). A more sustainable and ecologically sound alternative is the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis californica, (madeby BASF Agricultural Specialities) which has been formulated into a biological control agent (Nemaslug 2.0®) for use by farmers and gardeners to control pestiferous slugs.

This PhD project will pursue the following aims: 1. Collect and culture wild strains of P. californica and assess their pathogenicity and microbiome. 2. Understand the factors that affect the pathogenicity of P. californica towards slugs by taking a transcriptomics and experimental approach. 3. Assess the host range of wild strains of P. californica on pestiferous slugs and snails in the U.K.

Supervisory team

The PhD will be supervised by Dr. Rae who is a Reader in Ecological Genetics at LJMU with a specific interest in Phasmarhabditis nematodes, which he has worked on for 20 years.

Entry requirements

Candidates require a 2:1 degree in relevant subject area. MSc qualification is desirable but not essential. The candidate must possess knowledge of lab skills e.g. bioassays, survival analysis, microbiology, molecular biology, experimental design, statistical analyses.