Predoctoral Internship – Investigating the link between aphid feeding
and plant defence induction
Myzus persicae (the green peach aphid) is a highly successful generalist insect, capable of feeding
on hundreds of plant species, including various important crops such as wheat, rice and potato. Part
of success of this aphid is thought to be down to its ability to suppress the host plant’s defence. We
know that aphid feeding results in the generation of defence signals in plants that leads to defence
gene induction (1), but the link between the initial feeding, this signalling, and gene induction
remains unclear. This project will use a combination of approaches to start to unravel this mystery.
Calcium is known to act as a stress signal in plants, spreading throughout tissues upon the
perception of a stimulus (2). Through the use of fluorescent reporters we can track these signals in
response to aphids, and through the transcriptomics we can identify the downstream defence
induction. In this project, the candidate will use the electrophysiology technique electro-penetration
graph (EPG) to measure and quantify aphid feeding behaviour. Using microscopy, the candidate
will track the calcium signals initiated by such feeding, and using the latest transcriptomic
techniques they will help identify the key defence genes activated during this interaction. As such,
the candidate will receive a broad training in insect and plant genetics, electrophysiology, molecular
and cellular biology, and the analysis of large data sets.
References:
(1) Hogenhout & Bos, (2011), Current Opinion in Plant Biology, (14), 422-428.
(2) Choi et al., (2014), PNAS, (111), 6126-6127.
Contact:
Prof. Saskia Hogenhout, PhD
Email: saskia.hogenhout@jic.ac.uk
Project Leader
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
John Innes Centre
Norwich Research Park
Norwich, NR4 7UH
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)1603 450393
Fax: +44 (0)1603 450045
Web site: https://www.jic.ac.uk/staff/saskia-hogenhout/