Project Description

Primary Supervisor - Professor Diane Saunders

Scientific background

Plant-microbe relationships are shaped by complex, root-exuded metabolites that vary by host genotype and can be augmented to enhance agricultural productivity. In modern agriculture, an emerging, environmentally friendly strategy to enhance resilience to phytopathogens is to disrupt the function of disease susceptibility genes (S-genes), which are targeted by pathogens to promote their growth and infection. However, S-gene disruption often leads to wider changes in the metabolic profile of plants, which can influence colonisation by other pests, pathogens and beneficial microbes.

We previously defined four new S-genes in wheat (TaBCAT1, TaCSP41a, TaICL and TaASIL2) that when disrupted provide protection against wheat rust fungi, the so-called “polio of agriculture”. In addition, changes in metabolic profiles induced by these S-gene disruptions may provide more expansive beneficial effects against other pathogens and pests. For instance, TaICL disruption leads to hyperaccumulation of glyoxylate cycle intermediates, which when exogenously applied to plants can inhibit various pests and pathogens (e.g., wheat powdery mildew, nematodes, brown plant hopper, aphids etc). Yet, the broader implications of individual S-gene disruptions on shaping plant microbiomes remain to be explored.

Research Methodology

The main aim of this project is to resolve how S-gene disruptions influence root exudation and shape the wheat rhizosphere microbiome, and the implications of this for sustainable agricultural deployment. The individual will: (i) use field and greenhouse experiments, metagenomics and environmental microbiology to characterise the influence of S-gene disruptions in defining root microbial communities, (ii) use GC/MS metabolomics to identify the dominant metabolites influencing microbiome assembly for S-gene disruption mutants, and (iii) use spatial landscape models to establish optimal deployment strategies for S-gene disruption mutants.

Training

You will join the international, multidisciplinary Saunders and Malone Labs at the John Innes Centre, and develop extensive skills in a breadth of areas, including plant pathology, molecular biology and environmental microbiology. Additionally, you will receive training in landscape modelling by research leaders at Exeter University.

Person specification

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual, keen to work on an interdisciplinary, collaborative project that brings together findings from multiple research fields to push the boundaries of plant pathology and rhizosphere microbiology.

Entry Requirements

At least UK equivalence Bachelors (Honours) 2:1. English Language requirement (Faculty of Science equivalent: IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category).

Funding

ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£21,805 p.a. for 2026/27) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.

ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Projects have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, with equal weighting given to experience and potential.

After submitting their application for the relevant ARIES project(s), applicants are expected to complete the ARIES Equality and Diversity Form Applicants - 2027 Entry – Fill in form.One form is required per application, so applicants applying to more than one project must complete a separate form for each.

Please visit www.aries-dtp.ac.uk for further information.

References

Puthanvila Surendrababu S., Savva L., Korolev A.V., Hill L., Saalbach G., *Saunders D.G.O. (2026) A wheat MYB transcription factor activates defense by repressing TaSIZ1 in response to branched-chain amino acid accumulation. The Plant Cell 38(5). [https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koag135]

Pacheco-Moreno A., Bollmann-Giolai A., Chandra G., Brett P., Davies J., ... & *Malone J.G. (2024) The genotype of barley cultivars influences multiple aspects of their associated microbiota via differential root exudate secretion. PLoS Biology 22 (4). e3002232 [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002232]

Taketani R.G., Clark I.M., Yau P.T.O., Liu L., Zhang F., Bak G-R., Thompson C.M.A., Bonnin J.M., Stewart H., Malone J.G., Jones S., Holden N., Ryan M.J., Mauchline T.H.. (2026) Host plant selects bacterial rhizosphere microbiome function whereas community structure is determined by soil legacy. ISME Communications, 6(1) [https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycag083]

Ibe C.N., Bailey S.L., Korolev A.V., Brett P., *Saunders D.G.O. (2024) Isocitrate lyase promotes Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici susceptibility in wheat (Triticum aestivum) by suppressing accumulation of glyoxylate cycle intermediates. The Plant Journal, 119: 2033-2044. [https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.16908]

Lewis C.M., Morier‐Gxoyiya C., Hubbard A., Nellist C.F., Bebber D.P., *Saunders D.G.O. (2024) Resurgence of wheat stem rust infections in western Europe: causes and how to curtail them. New Phytologist, 243: 537-542. [https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19864]

Balancing wheat rust resilience and soil microbial diversity (SAUNDERS_JIC_ARIES27)

Welcome to Norwich

Project Description

Entry Requirements

Funding

References