MSc by Research: Exploring Bacillus biocontrol of Phytophthora raspberry root rot disease

About the Project

Domestic crop production, increasingly reliant on reduced fertiliser and agrochemical inputs whilst also achieving high yields, is necessary to maintain a high level of food security in the UK. Increased demand for berries is driven both by their popularity and their proven health benefits. Like many crop and tree species, strawberries and raspberries are susceptible to diseases caused by oomycete pathogens, causing significant crop losses. Phytophthora root rot has reduced raspberry production by 80 % in the UK since the 1980s and growers now plant into substrate rather than directly into soil. The causal pathogen of root rot, Phytophthora rubi, can persist in the soil long-term and chemical control options are limited due to resistance. There is an urgent need to find more durable and sustainable methods of raspberry production. Understanding the underpinning mechanisms of biocontrol could lead to the identification of sustainable agri-chem products for the future. Preliminary data show that Bacillus sppcan reduce P rubigrowth in vitroand induce stress phenotypes in the pathogen, such as cell wall thickening and bulging.

The aim of this project is to examine the interactions between Phytophthora rubi and Bacillus sppwith the goal of defining the molecular mechanisms involved in bacterial biocontrol of oomycete plant pathogens.

This project has four objectives:

1. Assess the genomes of Bacillus spp, for secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) using bioinformatics.
2. Investigate the transcriptome responses of Bacillus sppand Phytophthora rubi co-culture using RNA-seq methods.
3. Investigate Phytophthora-Bacillusinteractions and impacts on raspberry roots, e.g. plant growth promotion by Bacillusor reduction in disease under oomycete challenge.
4. Functionally characterise Bacillussecondary metabolites involved in biocontrol of Phytophthora root rot.

The MRes project will provide the student with a foundation of skills in molecular microbiology, microscopy, plant cell biology, bioinformatics and knowledge exchange. This multidisciplinary approach will put the student in good stead for a successful postgraduate career. It will investigate the molecular mechanisms of bacterial biocontrol of an oomycete plant pathogen. The project would team Dr Ashleigh Holmes’ expertise on plant-microbe interactions with Prof Nicola Stanley-Wall’s fundamental knowledge of Bacillusbiofilm formation and mixed-species communities. Bacteriology and stakeholder engagement advice will be provided by Dr Sonia Humphris (James Hutton Institute). The student will also engage with the Hutton soft fruit group with advice from plant production technicians and Phytophthoraexpertise in the wider Hutton plant pathology group. The project provides work experience in Institute and University based research environments. The student will have the opportunity to attend relevant postgraduate training courses at both Institutions, including access to BioSS statistical training modules.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

Please see our website for further details on the programme and how to apply:

Life Sciences MSc by Research MSc by Research (Postgraduate) : Study : University of Dundee

Please note before submitting your application that you must list your top three project choices in the Research Proposal section of the application form.

When you complete your application form, you should include your top 3 project choices, 2 letters of reference, uploaded under "Other Information" > "Supporting documents" and a personal statement. Failure to do so will delay your application.

Please note when submitting an application, please note our intake deadlines on the ‘how to apply’ section of our website.