New Zealand partnering award: Pathogenesis and effector delivery in Phytophthora infections of woody host plants
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Dundee
Department Name: School of Life Sciences
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Paul Birch (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Wang S
(2021)
Haustorium formation and a distinct biotrophic transcriptome characterize infection of Nicotiana benthamiana by the tree pathogen Phytophthora kernoviae.
in Molecular plant pathology
Wang S
(2023)
RxLR Effectors: Master Modulators, Modifiers and Manipulators
in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions®
| Description | We have revealed the functions of specific RXLR effectors studied in New Zealand that cause infection of Kauri trees by Phytophthora agathidicida. We have published a method to purify endosomes from plants. A student from Wellington University in NZ, Max Hayhurst, has come to our group in Dundee to do a PhD on tree infecting Phytophthora species. Additional matching funding for collaboration was won in NZ (Catalyst grant and Erskine Fellowship). |
| Exploitation Route | New understanding of how Phytophthora species infect trees such as the culturally and spiritually important kauri has emerged. This will lead to publications in 2025 and beyond |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
| Description | BBSRC EastBio studentship |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | James Hutton Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2023 |
| End | 09/2027 |
| Description | Collaborators secured a Catalyst travel and collaboration grant |
| Organisation | University of Canterbury NZ |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We co-wrote the Catalyst travel and collaboration grant |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners acted as principal investigators for the Catalyst travel award |
| Impact | the catalyst grant proposal was successful. A student has visited Dundee for 4 months from Massey university |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Erskine Fellowship |
| Organisation | University of Canterbury NZ |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A successful application was made to win an Erskine Fellowship in New Zealand that funded the visit of Dr Steve Whisson from James Hutton Institute to Canterbury University for 5 weeks to teach and provide collaborative research training |
| Collaborator Contribution | They co-wrote the fellowship application |
| Impact | Lectures and workshops were performed in Canterbury University |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Student visits from Canterbury university to identify RXLR effector targets |
| Organisation | University of Canterbury NZ |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Myself and members of my team (Hazel McLellan, Petra Boevink and Steve Whisson) supervised two PhD students (Sophie Eccersall and Claudia Allen) from Canterbury University, Christchurch. Sophie screened Y2H libraries with Phytophthora RXLR effectors to identify targets. She performed bioassays in model plants and she learned to transform Phytophthora. Claudia developed a lab-on-a-chip proteocol to study Phytophthora zoospore behaviour. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Two PhD students (Sophie Eccersall and Claudia Allen) from Canterbury University, Christchurch, supervised by Claudia Meissrimler, brought Phytophthora pluvialis effectors to Dundee to study their behaviour in nonhost plants and to identify their host targets |
| Impact | Targets and functions of RXLR effectors were identified and verified |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | collaboration on RXLR effector function |
| Organisation | Massey University |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We aim to help characterise the function of some Phytophthora RXLR effectors using some of the tools and ap[proaches we have develoiped in Dundee |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professor Rosie Bradshaw has sent us expression constructs to test in our bioassays in Dundee. |
| Impact | There are no outcomes as yet |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | student visit from Massey University |
| Organisation | Massey University |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A postdoc from Massey University, Mariana Tarallo, visited Dundee for 5 months to perform yeast-2-hybrid screens and to learn confocal cell biology. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners brought a research question into collaboration with us and this will lead to a publication in 2025. They also introfduced us to Phytophthora tree disease researchers in New Zealand with whom we can continue to collaborate |
| Impact | A publication on the function of an RXLR effector is anticipated in 2025. The disease they are studying is P. agathadicida which infects kauri trees, which are of central spiritual and cultural importance to the Maori. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaborative New Zealand Seminar series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | With our New Zealand collaborators at the Universities of Cantebury and Massey, and Scion, we have led a monthly seminar and discussion to ensure that the engagement associated with the award can take place |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Seminar at Lincoln University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Steve Whisson gave seminars at the universities of Lincoln and Canterbury in New Zealand |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |