Phytophthora spp comprise some of the most devastating threats to crop production worldwide. The early detection and diagnosis of Phytophthora diseases forms a front line strategy in our efforts to limit damage caused by epidemics on crops. It is also a critical requirement in the evaluation of disease resistance against specific important pathogens during crop breeding efforts. Although genome sequencing efforts have allowed the determination of gene repertoires on the whole genome level for a vast number of microbes, their use towards practical solutions is still lagging significantly. In this proposal, we therefore aim to use available Phytophthora capsici genome sequences to develop a gene centric resource able to help identify and characterize P. capsici disease in pepper breeding fields.
This project ambitious 4-year Ph.D. project will be performed in collaboration with ENZA Zaden (EZ, the Netherlands). EZ is an independent seed company that values entrepreneurship, expertise, creativity and investments in the latest technologies. Besides breeding of a large variety of crops EZ offers in-house tools and research expertise in plant disease resistance, cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology. The successful applicant will thus be significantly exposed to diverse and multinational research environments that represent both the crop breeding front line and fundamental plant-microbe research.
The successful candidate will use advanced transcriptomics, proteomics and protein chemistry technologies to inform on disease-associated processes in the field. We are therefore looking for an ambitious and highly motivated candidate with a background in Molecular biology and proteomics with a strong interest in plant pathology and bioinformatics and/or computational biology.
The successful candidate will be member of the Huitema Lab (http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/groups/edgar_huitema/), located at the JHI. S/he will benefit from the expertise and resources currently available at UoD and JHI. Thus, the student will draw on our constituent strengths that comprise (i) (Functional) genomics of crop plants, disease resistance and pathogen effector proteins, (ii) Pathogen biology & comparative genomics, (iii) bioinformatics, (iv) outreach and education and (v) knowledge transfer.
Candidates must fulfil RCUK eligibility requirements, which can be found at: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/studentship_eligibility.pdf. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the PI at e.huitema@dundee.ac.uk
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