High resolution maps of plant responses to Aphid attack

Plants defend themselves against biological attack using chemical and cellular defence responses which involve dramatic transcriptional changes. To date detailed molecular analysis of these responses have been investigated at the gross scale (whole leaf) due to the amount of tissue required, yet this loses information on the differential responses of cells at different distances from the attack. Now by combining LOw RNA-Input Sequencing (LORIS) technology with microscopic tissue dissection it is possible to obtain 2D maps of transcriptional changes throughout a leaf.
This project will use LORIS to examine leaf responses to attack by the aphid Myzus persicae which has a broad plant host range (including Arabidopsis thaliana), transmits more than 100 different plant viruses and has developed resistance to the majority of insecticides on the market. As Aphids feed for long periods of time at a single location, we can observe and model changes in gene expression originating at the point of attack and surrounding areas. Using a grid pattern overlaid on the leaf, squares containing the aphid feeding site and surroundings area will be dissected and processed to create transcription profiles.

The successful student will examine temporal and spatial transcriptional changes due to aphid attack, and further dissect the pathways using A. thaliana mutants of receptor-like proteins (likely early recognisers of aphid attack) and plant mediated RNA interference down-regulation of aphid effector genes. Working in our multi-disciplinary team provides opportunities to learn aphid and plant defence response biology, molecular biology, next generation sequencing, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, gene network analysis, and functional validation using genetics and RNAi.