Genetics and molecular basis of insect resistance in forest trees

Background. Insect pests pose a rapidly growing threat to the sustainability of forest systems as a result of climate change and globalisation of commerce. The project will investigate how co-evolved resistance between forest trees and a damaging weevil may influence interactions when the trees are introduced to a new region with different weevils. The research will study tree populations introduced to Britain from North-America and compare resistance against two weevils: (i) the large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis), which is native to the UK and Europe and, (ii) the white pine weevil (Pissoides strobi), native to the Pacific North-West of North-America. The expected results will inform the potential and the strategy for developing weevil resistance breeding in forest crops in the UK.
Aims. The project will develop an understanding of defences against H. abietis by investigating molecular responses and the genetic basis of naturally occurring variability in the Sitka spruce population. It will also build on the body of knowledge on genetics resistance against the white pine weevil, which has identified weevil resistance biomarkers. Forest trees present moderate to high levels of genetic diversity within and among populations and considerable variation for resistance against the white pine weevil has been reported in Sitka spruce but the British population has not been studied.
Training opportunity and skills. This project combines innovative research and short-term impact on a practical problem of environmental and economic sustainability. The training involves regular interactions with a commercial seed production company. The student candidate will work with the project team to define the research approach and methodology. The project is funded for four years and lab rotations are not required so that the student may focus on their project throughout.
The proposed objectives afford diverse training opportunities. 1. Damage levels and molecular responses will be investigated in young trees following exposure to weevil attack by analysing the influence of the genetic background on weevil damage levels, by RNA-Sequencing and monitoring of known resistance biomarkers. 2. A genome-wide association study may be used to investigate the molecular basis of genetic variability in weevil resistance. 3. Comparative evaluation of damage levels of different strains of trees under field conditions that are representative of industrial forestry conditions (industry placement). 4. Engagement with research end-users and stakeholders.
Locations of the organisations. The project will be based in the laboratory of Professor John MacKay in the Department of Plant Sciences (University of Oxford) whose research interests include biological responses and genetic diversity in conifer trees, and has expertise in genome wide association studies and RNA-Sequencing for gene and response discovery. The project will benefit from expertise of the non-academic supervisor Dr Roger Moore at Forest Research (Edinburgh) who will provide guidance on weevil feeding experiments. Industry placement will be with Forestart Inc. (Herefordshire).