2024 RTP round - A model system to seek out common elements for host resistance to cereal diseases

Status: Closed

Applications open: 7/07/2023
Applications close: 25/08/2023

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

Filamentous fungi from the genus Pyrenophora are the significant and damaging pathogens in cereals. In Australia, two Pyrenophora species (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Pyrenophora teres) are major pathogens causing wheat tan spot and barley net blotch diseases. Although in the agricultural landscapes these species are commonly associated with their respective hosts (wheat and barley), both pathogens are thought to have emerged from wild grasses through selective pressure and evolutionary adaptation. Considering that grasses can be an alternative hosts for both species, the project seeks to explore mechanisms that underlie the infection process by utilising an established model for cereal/grass research: Brachypodium distachyon is an annual grass with great attributes that include a short generation time and a small genome. Extensive genetic resources are available, such as large collections of diverse natural accessions, mutant populations, and highly efficient transformation.

This project aims to uncover common factors as well as novel insights of cereal infection processes by tan spot and net blotch species using Brachypodium distachyon as a model system. This will allow discovery of new genes and pathways involved in the pathogen-host interactions, how they compare between different crops and their natural variation.

Project will utilise genetic forward approach by screening Brachypodium collection of sequence-indexed T-DNA mutant lines (Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformed) to identify loss or gain of gene function associated with disease development. Once gene(s) of interest are discovered, the project will further explore parallel gene function in crops through comparative genomic approaches together while gene attributes may be studied through sub-cellular localisation and interactions with other genes and signalling pathways.

Grain production in Australia is an important industry, however is constantly challenged by fungal diseases that can cause crop losses of up to 30%.  Currently, growers have to rely heavily on expensive and environmentally harmful chemical controls to mitigate crop losses. Discovering new genes and mechanisms of how the host responds to fungal attack will provide valuable information for the control of plant diseases and selection of resistance sources.

This project may provide an Internship opportunity. Student will have the opportunity to undertake research in the areas of crop diseases that will have a direct impact on the grain industry by providing growers, agronomists and breeders with long-term disease management solutions.

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships at the 2023 RTP rate valued at $32,250 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3 years, with a possible 6 month completion scholarship. Applicants are determined via a competitive selection process and will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2023. 

The successful applicant will be eligible for a CCDM Top-Up Scholarship valued at $10,000 p.a.  The top up may be paid following successful completion of Milestone 1, up to a maximum of 2.5 years.

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

This scholarship is suitable for graduates with a basic knowledge of plant and fungal biology, and some hands-on laboratory practical experience in molecular biology techniques. The applicant should have good written English, attention to detail, initiative and an inquiring mind. 

Application process

This project has identified a preferred candidate and is no longer available.  Please review remaining scholarships projects .

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2024.

Recipients must complete their milestone 1 within 6 month of enrolment and remain enrolled on a full-time basis for the duration of the scholarship.

Enquiries

The Project lead has identified a preferred candidate and is no longer accepting applications. Please click here to review remaining scholarships projects.

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