Project description

Primary supervisor - Prof Diane Saunders

Wheat rusts are known as the “polio of agriculture” due to the threat they pose to wheat production worldwide. The wheat stem and yellow rust pathogens, Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt) and Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), are both heteroecious and undertake asexual reproduction on wheat and sexual reproduction on Berberis spp., with the latter leading to emergence of abundant novel genotypes. Unlike Pgt, Pst has not been observed to infect B. vulgaris in Europe, likely due to a current mismatch in timing between spore germination and availability of deciduous B. vulgaris leaves. However, as climate change progresses, this timing mismatch could resolve, altering the role of B. vulgaris in the wheat rust infection cycle.

The aim of this project is to: (i) evaluate mechanisms potentially currently limiting Pst B. vulgaris infection and, thus, sexual reproduction in the UK and (ii) use spatially explicit models to predict how (and when) Pgt and/or Pst sexual reproduction could impact wheat disease epidemics under current and projected conditions, shaping future wheat rust epidemics. This project provides a unique opportunity to generate valuable fundamental knowledge with potential for immediate practical application in agriculture in disease risk management.

The student will be embedded in the Saunders Lab at the John Innes Centre, which is a multidisciplinary research lab, providing the opportunity to develop extensive skills in a breadth of areas, including plant pathology, molecular biology, and computational biology. Whilst receiving additional training in modelling pathogen disease risk dynamics in response to climate change by leaders in this field at Exeter University.

The Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Programme (NRPDTP) is offering fully funded studentships for October 2026 entry. The programme offers postgraduates the opportunity to undertake a 4-year PhD research project whilst enhancing professional development and research skills through a comprehensive training programme. You will join a vibrant community of world-leading researchers. All NRPDTP students undertake a three-month professional internship placement (PIPS) during their study. The placement offers exciting and invaluable work experience designed to enhance professional development. Full support and advice will be provided by our Professional Internship team.

This project has been shortlisted for funding by the NRPDTP. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on 3,4 or 5 February 2026.

Visit our website for further information on eligibility and how to apply: https://biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/.

Our partners value diverse and inclusive work environments that are positive and supportive. Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background.

To maximise accessibility and attract students from underrepresented groups to our programme we have introduced bespoke templates for applicant Personal and Research statements which will enable every applicant to fully represent themselves through providing suitable examples and evidence. These forms are on the NRPDTP website and must be used for these sections of the application form.

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

This project is awarded with a 4-year Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership PhD DTP studentship. The studentship includes payment of tuition fees (directly to the University), a stipend to cover living expenses (2025/6 stipend rate: £20,780), and a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000pa for each year of the studentship.

References

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]

Bueno-Sancho V., Orton E.S., Gerrity M., Lewis C.M., Davey P., Findlay K.C., Barclay E., Robinson P., Morris R.J., *Blyth M., *Saunders D.G.O. (2021) Aeciospore ejection in the rust pathogen Puccinia graminis is driven by moisture ingress. Communications Biology, 4: 1216. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02747-1]

Lewis C.M., Persoons A., Bebber D.P., Kigathi R.N., Maintz J., Findlay K., et al. *Wulff B.B.H., *Saunders D.G.O. (2018) Potential for re-emergence of wheat stem rust in the United Kingdom. Communications Biology 1(1): 13. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0013-y]

Bailey S.L., Morier‐Gxoyiya C., Puthanvila Surendrababu S., *Saunders D.G.O. (2024) A history of strategies and a tapestry of triumphant tales in tackling plant fungal diseases. Plant Pathology. [https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13950]

Investigating the impact of climate change on sexual reproduction in the wheat rust fungi (SAUNDERS_J26DTP)

Project description

Entry requirements

Funding

References