PhD Studentship: Safeguarding Wheat Yields from Cereal Fungal Invaders (SAUNDERS_J26DTP3)

Background

Every year fungal pathogens destroy 10-23% of all major calorie and commodity crops. Traditionally, to limit fungal disease outbreaks resistance genes have been introgressed into crops, which is a slow process, and the resistance conferred is frequently overcome through emergence of new pathogen races. An increasingly attractive alternative is to identify and disrupt disease susceptibility genes (S-gene) that are targeted by plant pathogens to promote their growth and infection. Thus, S-gene disruption often confers broad, durable, non-race specific resistance that is very difficult for pathogens to overcome. We recently identified the wheat isocitrate lyase gene (TaICL) as a potential S-gene that when disrupted prevented infection by the wheat yellow rust pathogen (Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, Pst). TaICL disruption led to elevation in glyoxylate cycle intermediates, and we found these compounds can also act to inhibit Pst infection.

Project Objectives

The aim of this project is to: (i) evaluate how TaICL disruption leads to reduction in Pst infection progression, (ii) establish whether other genes in the glyoxylate cycle could be manipulated as additional sources of wheat rust resistance, and (iii) determine the breadth and suitability of TaICL B disruption as a new source of resistance against the wheat rusts and beyond. This project provides a unique opportunity to generate fundamental knowledge with potential for immediate practical application in resistance breeding. While the student will be embedded in the Saunders Lab at the John Innes Centre, which is a multidisciplinary research lab, the student will develop extensive skills in a breadth of areas, including plant pathology, molecular biology, cell biology and basic computational biology.

Training Programme

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) offers a fully funded four year PhD research studentship. Students partake in a comprehensive training programme that includes a three month professional internship placement (PIPS) to enhance research skills and professional development. The programme provides full support and advice from the Professional Internship team.

Entry Requirements

UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1, or higher.

Mode of Study

Full time

Start Date

1 October 2026

Funding and Salary

This studentship includes payment of tuition fees directly to the university, a stipend to cover living expenses (£21,805 for 2026/7), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per annum for each year of the studentship.