Resistance by Elimination
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Abstract
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world and provides 20% of the protein and calories for 4.5 billion people. Yellow rust, Septoria tritici blotch and Fusarium head blight (FHB) are three of the most damaging diseases in many wheat growing areas. Control of these diseases is vital to protect yield and in the case of FHB, avoid the risk of mycotoxins contaminating grain.
Recent findings reveal that the susceptibility of wheat is not always caused by the lack of a 'resistance' factor but because of the presence of a 'susceptibility' factor. The elimination of such factors can greatly increase resistance.
A 'tiling-path' panel of gamma ray-irradiated deletion lines was developed, sequenced to identify the position and size of deletions across the genome.
The panel will be screened for resistance to the three diseases to identify regions associated with susceptibility. Additional deletion lines will be assayed to identify those carrying small deletions across the region of interest. Candidate genes will be validated using TILLING lines carrying mutations in the target genes.
Recent findings reveal that the susceptibility of wheat is not always caused by the lack of a 'resistance' factor but because of the presence of a 'susceptibility' factor. The elimination of such factors can greatly increase resistance.
A 'tiling-path' panel of gamma ray-irradiated deletion lines was developed, sequenced to identify the position and size of deletions across the genome.
The panel will be screened for resistance to the three diseases to identify regions associated with susceptibility. Additional deletion lines will be assayed to identify those carrying small deletions across the region of interest. Candidate genes will be validated using TILLING lines carrying mutations in the target genes.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Paul Nicholson (Primary Supervisor) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/T008717/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2028 | |||
| 2680702 | Studentship | BB/T008717/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2024 |
| Description | Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is a major disease of small grain cereals, including wheat. It directly impacts yield and grain quality through premature spike bleaching and mycotoxin contamination of the grain. While many resistance loci have been identified, their effects are quantitative and dependent on the environment and host genome composition. An interesting avenue to achieve resistance is the removal of genes associated with pathogen success (i.e. contributing to host susceptibility). Previous research have identified loci associated with major FHB susceptiblity. Research through this award has interrogated wheat populations with deletions of varying sizes in one of these loci to pinpoint the underlying susceptiblity gene. So far, the interval has been narrowed to a handful of potential genes. These genes are being interrogated through pathology tests to find the candidate susceptibility gene. |
| Exploitation Route | Once the underlying gene identified, it can be negatively selected for in wheat breeding programmes to develop Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) resistant wheat varieties. Since FHB-associated pathogens has a broad host range, this may highlight methods for major resistance in other economically important cereals. Additionally, understanding the function of the gene in host physiology and pathogen infection will be interesting as it may further our understanding of wheat development and uncover novel methods of pathogen infection. This could unveil further mjaor FHB susceptiblity genes. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |