Environmental and genetic determinants of Brassica crop damage by the agricultural pest Diamondback moth
Not stated
- Location
- Southampton, United Kingdom
- Funding
- INSPIRE studentships; Fully funded, in line with UKRI standard levels
- Application deadline
- See university guidance
About the project
The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is an agricultural pest with worldwide impact on brassica crops (>$5 billion in annual damages). Its unique glucosinolate sulfatase (GSS) enzymes allow it to specialize on cruciferous host plants by evading their glucosinolate/myrosinase defence system1. In preliminary studies, we established that herbivory by DBM caterpillars is controlled both by environmental light and their internal daily timekeeping systems. Moreover, the expression of DBM GSS genes exhibits circadian rhythmicity. This project aims to elucidate abiotic and biological determinants of DBM herbivory of its host plants. It will complement ongoing research focused on circadian control of herbivory in the DBM caterpillar by concentrating on environmentally-controlled defence mechanisms in cruciferous plants (Brassica rapa and Arabidopsis thaliana). The following Specific Objectives will be pursued:
SO1: Identify how host plant glucosinolate production and herbivory by DBM are affected by (a) glucosinolate biosynthesis and daily timekeeping in the host plant, (b) daily environmental cycles in light and temperature. The latter will simulate representative light/temperature cycles for the UK and explicitly explore the predicted impact of light pollution and global warming.
SO2: Identify changes in plant and DBM expression profiles that are closely associated with changes in herbivory across different environmental contexts.
For full project details visit the Inspire project page .
Supervisors
- Doctor Herman Wijnen (University of Southampton)
- Doctor Haruko Okamoto (University of Sussex)
Dr Herman Wijnen Drs, PhD, FHEA
- CHRONOBIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR:
- Control of Daily Rhythms by Circadian Clocks and the Environment
- Genetics, Behaviour and Neuroscience of the fruit fly Drosophila
Entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in one of these subjects:
- any numerate discipline
- biology
- chemistry
Fees and funding
INSPIRE studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI). The stipend is in line with UKRI standard levels, including the recent cost of living increase.
All studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years.
How to apply
To make an application, visit the how to apply section of the INSPIRE website .
Contact us
For questions about the project, contact Doctor Herman Wijnen:
Email: hw3a11@soton.ac.uk
For questions about the application process, contact the graduate school office.
Email: gsnocs@soton.ac.uk