Understanding molecular basis of disease resistance against Septoria tritici blotch in wheat
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
The phytopathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB), a devastating disease of wheat. Resistance against Z. tritici is an important target in wheat breeding and we recently isolated the first resistance gene, Stb6, from wheat. By contrast to the majority of cloned plant disease resistance genes Stb6 confers fungal resistance in the absence of host cell death and encodes an unusual
innate immune receptor resembling wall-associated receptor kinases. Using a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry and functional genomic approaches, this project aims to characterise this novel resistance protein and to identify and characterise downstream components of the Stb6-mediated defence signalling pathway which arrest fungal growth. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying resistance will aid development of future efficient STB disease control strategies. This is an excellent opportunity for a PhD student to work on extremely important fungal pathogen, with clear implications for global food security.
innate immune receptor resembling wall-associated receptor kinases. Using a combination of molecular biology, biochemistry and functional genomic approaches, this project aims to characterise this novel resistance protein and to identify and characterise downstream components of the Stb6-mediated defence signalling pathway which arrest fungal growth. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying resistance will aid development of future efficient STB disease control strategies. This is an excellent opportunity for a PhD student to work on extremely important fungal pathogen, with clear implications for global food security.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/10/2024 | |||
| 1935414 | Studentship | BB/M008770/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2021 |
| Description | Collaboration to provide Zymoseptoria tritici isolates and AvrStb6 gene sequences with academic research groups working on this pathogen |
| Organisation | Australian National University (ANU) |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The material and sequences provided by our collaborators has allowed us to construct a global haplotype and isoform collection for the Z. tritici effector AvrStb6. This work will contribute towards a greater understanding of the population biology of this fungal pathogen and the potential role of the AvrStb6 effector. We have also provided wheat samples for testing of local Turkish Z. tritici isolates, in order to determine the function and avirulence of AvrStb6 in these strains of the fungus. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided AvrStb6 sequence data and some Z. tritici isolates for testing the avirulence of the AvrStb6 effector. They have also carried out some inoculation bioassays involving local Z. tritici isolates inoculated on wheat. |
| Impact | No outputs from this collaboration yet. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration to provide Zymoseptoria tritici isolates and AvrStb6 gene sequences with academic research groups working on this pathogen |
| Organisation | Department of Primary Industries New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The material and sequences provided by our collaborators has allowed us to construct a global haplotype and isoform collection for the Z. tritici effector AvrStb6. This work will contribute towards a greater understanding of the population biology of this fungal pathogen and the potential role of the AvrStb6 effector. We have also provided wheat samples for testing of local Turkish Z. tritici isolates, in order to determine the function and avirulence of AvrStb6 in these strains of the fungus. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided AvrStb6 sequence data and some Z. tritici isolates for testing the avirulence of the AvrStb6 effector. They have also carried out some inoculation bioassays involving local Z. tritici isolates inoculated on wheat. |
| Impact | No outputs from this collaboration yet. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration to provide Zymoseptoria tritici isolates and AvrStb6 gene sequences with academic research groups working on this pathogen |
| Organisation | Sirnak Üniversitesi |
| Country | Turkey |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The material and sequences provided by our collaborators has allowed us to construct a global haplotype and isoform collection for the Z. tritici effector AvrStb6. This work will contribute towards a greater understanding of the population biology of this fungal pathogen and the potential role of the AvrStb6 effector. We have also provided wheat samples for testing of local Turkish Z. tritici isolates, in order to determine the function and avirulence of AvrStb6 in these strains of the fungus. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided AvrStb6 sequence data and some Z. tritici isolates for testing the avirulence of the AvrStb6 effector. They have also carried out some inoculation bioassays involving local Z. tritici isolates inoculated on wheat. |
| Impact | No outputs from this collaboration yet. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration with Gert de Jaegar group of VIB-UGhent, Belgium to identify protein interactors of Stb6 using novel tandem affinity purification tags. |
| Organisation | University of Ghent |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I am using tandem affinity purification (TAP) tags provided by this collaboration with Gert de Jaeger of VIB as part of my research project to identify proteins interacting with the wheat resistance protein Stb6. I have created fusion constructs with these tags, and will express them in tobacco to determine and interacting proteins in vivo. |
| Collaborator Contribution | As part of a collaboration with Gert de Jaeger of VIB in Belgium, their lab has provided a series of TAP tag vectors known as GSrhino and GSyellow. Their lab is also experienced in CoIP from protein extracts using these tags, and will be able to help identify proteins interacting with Stb6. |
| Impact | No outcomes yet from this collaboration. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Cafe Scientifique Seminar Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Café Scientifique outreach group at Rothamsted Research is a student-led team that organises monthly public seminars. Speakers at these seminars are researchers at Rothamsted and London-based institutes, who speak about the scientific background and the content of their research. The event regularly attracts audiences of 20-35 people, with members of the public from Harpenden and the local area in attendance. Since September 2018 we have organised 13 events, with speakers from Rothamsted or Imperial College London and The South East Physics Network and others. My role involves attracting and booking speakers, advertising the event using posters, email invitations and social media and chairing the events. The main output of this event series is to disseminate the research being carried out at Rothamsted and other organisations to the public of Harpenden and the surrounding area, and to promote the benefits of Rothamsted Research to scientific understanding and advancement. o The events have taken place on 24th September (Ian Harrison, UCL, "Hacking the Brain"), 29th October (Chiara Gandini, Cambridge University, "Green Fish Farms: Answers in the Microalgae"), 26th November 2018 (Abel Barral, Nature Publishing Group, "How was the Earth Milions of Years Ago?"), 28th January (Olivia Keenan, SEPnet, "The Dwarf Galaxy Problem"), 25th February (Johnathan Napier, "Making Fish Oil in Plants"), 25th March (Danilo Lyra, "Predicting Complex Human and Plant Phenotypes Using DNA Information"), 29th April (Alex Dye, "Searching for Soldierflies in the Insect Apocalypse"), 3rd June (Jess Spong and Tessa Reid, "Fungal Diseases on Wheat" and "The Soil Microbiome"), 29th July (Aislinn Pearson, "Modern Smallholder Farming in Africa"), 30th September (Tony Cass, ICL, "Diagnostics To Go - Microneedles in Health and Illness"), 28th October (Anastasia Sokolidi and Caitlin Willis, "Smart Detection of Airborne Diseases in Tomato Production" and "Investigating Insecticide Resistance in UK Populations of Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle") and 25th November 2019 (Ben Stickler, ICL, "Macroscopic Tests of Quantum Physics") and on 27th January 2020 (Matt Dale and Sarah Raffan, "Out In All Weather - Plant Responses to Environmental Extremes" and "Why You Shouldn't Burn Your Toast"). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | DFW Open Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Designing Future Wheat (DFW) is a five-year RCUK/BBSRC funded research program on wheat improvement and breeding. During the DFW Open Day, an overview on the ongoing DFW research programs was provided and the guest speaker Matt Kirton (DSV) shared a breeders' perspective. There was also an opportunity to visit Rothamsted Research's world class laboratories and facilities in the morning, and a research farm in Redbourn (for a hands-on display of research projects ongoing in DFW) in the afternoon. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/events/designing-future-wheat-open-day |
| Description | Rothamsted Festival of Ideas 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | It was our Institute's (Rothamsted Research) 175th birthday and we were celebrating with a Festival of Ideas. The event was free and open to all with something for everyone, from young to old. Our Festival brought together activities, exhibitions and demonstrations to immerse general public in the science of feeding the world. Numerous live plant displays and demonstration have been organised, as well as posters, interactive displays, tractor rides, talks, games and a trove of other astonishing exhibits describing our proud history of ground-breaking discoveries, from crop treatment to crop protection, from statistical interpretation to soils management. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/events/rothamsted-festival-ideas |
| Description | Rothamsted Research "Meet a Scientist" event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A Rothamsted Research organised event, "Meet a Scientist" involves small group discussions over Zoom between early career researchers and 17 selected school students (aged 16-17), with the discussion focussing on routes into science and the positives of a scientific career. Will be held on 29th March 2021. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Rothamsted Research "Meet a Scientist" event, 29th March 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Christopher Stephens was engaged in discussions with four school students aged 16-17, answering their questions about scientific careers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | STEMPoint East, Inspiration Week "Opening Doors with Biology", Oct 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A talk was presented by Christopher Stephens to 14 schools (459 students aged 14-16) and focussed on Chris's route into science and the positives of carrying out a PhD. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | STEMPoint East, Inspiration Week event "Opening Doors with Biology" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk given over Zoom to 14 schools across the East of England region ( approximately 459 students aged 14-16). Talk focussed on the route of PhD students into science and the positives of carrying out a PhD. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.stempointeast.org.uk/event/girls-into-stem/ |
| Description | Science and Engineering Inspiration Event, St Joan of Arc School, Rickmansworth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I participated in a "Science and Engineering Inspiration Event" at St Joan of Arc School in Rickmansworth, 21st March 2019. At this event myself and another researcher from Rothamsted, Anu Bansal, manned a stall and discussed our STEM careers and the underlying science behind our research with groups of secondary school children. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |