Postdoc in microbe-insect plant interactions at Wageningen University, UK-PhD Biology/Plant sciences-Apply

Description & Details: A promising alternative to the application of chemical pesticides is the implementation of crops resistant to insect pests. The goal of this research project is to unravel the genetic basis and molecular mechanism involved in a plant defence trait that is lethal to insect eggs. Plants can resist the onset of herbivore attack by perceiving and responding to insect eggs. The consequences of plant responses to eggs are that insect larvae do not hatch or that they are impeded in development, and damage to the plant is reduced. Up to now, little is known on the mechanisms and on the genetic basis of egg-killing traits but potentially may be tied to the egg microbiome. Making use of egg-killing defense traits in crops is a promising new way to sustainably reduce losses of crop yield.
As a postdoctoral student you will characterize the egg-derived molecule(s) of an egg-killing trait in a cabbage crop resembling responses to pathogen attack (i.e. hypersensitive response). You will explore the egg microbiome and its role herein by using the latest sequencing techniques, use proteomics and mass spectrometry techniques to conquer insect-related molecules and validate candidate molecules using mutants.
This project is part of a NWO/STW VIDI project and executed in close collaboration with vegetable breeding and seed companies. You will be co-supervising a PhD student who focuses on finding the genetic basis of this plant trait, and supported by a technician as well as collaborating with researchers at Wageningen University, national and international institutes with expertise in population genetics, plant and insect (phylo)genomics, plant pathology and bioinformatics.

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