Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership PhD Studentship Offer

Aphids are major insect pests of agriculture and horticulture, causing damage to many economically important crop plants through direct feeding and/or as efficient vectors of numerous plant viruses. At present, aphid control measures are limited and rely heavily on insecticides such as carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, tetramic acids, and chordotonal organ modulators such as flonicamid/pymetrozine. The target for many of these chemicals is the insect central nervous system, however, insects can rapidly evolve resistance to insecticides thus rendering these chemicals ineffective. There is therefore an urgent need to develop alternative and more sustainable means of aphid control.

Recent studies have shown that environmental microbes have varying abilities to kill insects. On this basis, screening of >140 different plant-associated bacteria through aphid ingestion assays identified multiple bacteria that could kill aphids, with nine strains of different genera showing potent aphid-killing ability. One bacterium in particular (PpR24), a member of the Pseudomonas fluorescens species complex, was observed to grow inside aphids, and is capable of killing insecticide-resistant aphid clones. Furthermore, when sprayed onto plants, PpR24 can reduce aphid infestation. RNA-sequencing and genetic manipulation of PpR24 has demonstrated that it uses a range of toxins to kill the aphid. Together, these findings indicate great promise for the use of this bacterium, and others, as biocontrol agents to control aphid infestation of crop plants. Building on this concept, a recent genome analysis of one of the other nine strains (P. fluorescens PfR37) identified a biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) that may produce a pyrrolizidine alkaloid-like molecule. This class of molecules are usually produced by plants as a defence mechanism against insect herbivores but has recently been discovered to be produced by bacteria.

Those who have a 1st or a 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant field are eligible.

Evidence of quantitative training is required. For example, AS or A level Maths, IB Standard or Higher Maths, or university level maths/statistics course.

Those who have a 2.2 and an additional Masters degree in a relevant field may be eligible.

Those who have a 2.2 and at least three years post-graduate experience in a relevant field may be eligible.