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BBSRC studentship: Identification and functional validation of effector genes in the parasitic weed

Job Details

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Food security is a major concern worldwide. Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica (witchweeds) are root-invading parasitic weeds that devastates the yields of rain-fed rice, maize, sorghum and millet across sub Saharan Africa. The UN considers Striga species to be the major biotic constraint to cereal production causing yield losses worth in excess of $1 billion annually. The use of crop cultivars resistant to these parasites is an important control strategy but their use is compromised by the potential for rapid evolution of virulence in the parasite. In order to breed crops with durable resistance to Striga we need to understand the molecular genetic basis of host-parasite specificity, in particular, the nature of effector proteins secreted by the parasite that are recognised by the host, eliciting a resistant response or which suppress host defences leading to susceptibility. As part of ongoing BBSRC projects we have sequenced the genomes of S. hermonthica and S. asiatica and carried out an in silico prediction of secreted effectors. In addition, we have re-sequenced the genomes of another 4 genetic ecotypes of S. asiatica from different regions of Africa. As part of a new GCRF project we aim to re-sequence the genomes of ~ 100 individuals of S. asiatica collected from rice cultivars in different regions of Madagascar.


The student will use a combination of bioinformatics, comparative genomics and molecular techniques, to identify and functionally analyse candidate effector genes in different Striga ecotypes differing in virulence across the same suite of rice cultivars. S/he will benefit from training in a variety of bioinformatics, genomics, comparative genomics and molecular analyses that are in considerable demand by academic and industrial employers.

Science Graduate School
As a PhD student in one of the science departments at the University of Sheffield, you’ll be part of the Science Graduate School. You’ll get access to training opportunities designed to support your career development by helping you gain professional skills that are essential in all areas of science. You’ll be able to learn how to recognise good research and research behaviour, improve your communication abilities and experience the breadth of technologies that are used in academia, industry and many related careers. Visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sgs to learn more.
 

Funding Notes

4 year BBSRC studentship, under the BBSRC White Rose Mechanistic Biology DTP

We welcome applications from students who have or expect to achieve at least a 2.1 in Biology, Molecular Biology or Genetics. The applicant should have an interest in bioinformatics and a willingness to learn comparative genetic analyses. The studentship will provide funding for tuition fees and living stipend at the current Research Council UK rates (subject to eligibility) for 4 years. Please note that EU citizens must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years to be eligible for full support.


 

References

Rodenburg J, Cissoko M, Kayongo N, Dieng I, Bisikwa J, Irakiza I, Masoka I, Midega CAO, Scholes JD (2017) Genetic variation and host-parasite specificity of Striga resistance and tolerance in rice: The need for predictive breeding. New Phytologist 214, 1267–1280.
Saucet SB, Shirasu K (2016) Molecular Parasitic Plant-Host Interactions. PLoS Pathog 12 : e1005978. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1005978.
Timko MP, Huang K, Lis KE (2012) Host Resistance and Parasite Virulence in Striga–Host Plant Interactions: AShifting Balance of Power Weed Science, 60: 307-315.
Westwood JH, dePamphilis CW, Das M, Fernández-Aparicio M, Honaas LA, Timko MP, Wafula EK, Wickett NJ, and Yoder JI (2012) The Parasitic Plant Genome Project: New Tools for Understanding the Biology of Orobanche and Striga. Weed Science, 60(2):295-306. 2012.

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