BBSRC NLD Doctoral Training Partnership: Targeting nutrient transport in insect pests for the development of novel crop protection tools

There is a pressing need to uncover new molecular targets to enable development of effective, specific and safe control practices for agricultural and horticultural insect pests. This will reduce the risks and impact on the environment, off target species and human health. Only with improved understanding of the unique biology of insect pest types will novel molecular mechanisms be revealed for empirical characterisation and manipulation.

Sap-feeding insects such as aphids, whitefly and spittlebugs are major global crop pests. These pests can damage plants directly through feeding but also through the vectoring of diseases such as Xyllela fastidiosa (which has attacked grape, citrus and olive crops across Europe). Despite feeding exclusively on sap, which is lacking in many essential nutrients, these insects thrive through maintaining symbiotic relationships with specific bacteria housed within specialised cells. The bacteria synthesise essential nutrients, missing from diet, for the host insect. Often, neither partner can survive or reproduce independently of the other meaning that the symbiotic relationship has the potential to be a novel target for the design of future insect control mechanisms.

Through a new collaboration between Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd. (York) this CASE industrial partnership project will characterise the structure, function and location of proteins involved in nutrient sharing between host insects and symbiotic bacteria. In addition, novel inhibitor compounds will be tested for efficacy in pest insect management. You will gain experience in a wide range of molecular and biochemical techniques, specialist nutrient transport assays, insect handling and manipulation. The project will include a placement at Fera Science.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be made by emailing bbsrcdtp@liverpool.ac.uk with:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees);
• a covering letter – clearly stating your first-choice project, and optionally 2nd ranked project, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s) and at the selected University;
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates;
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply. Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

In addition to the above items, please email a completed copy of the Additional Details Form (as a Word document) to bbsrcdtp@liverpool.ac.uk. A blank copy of this form can be found at: https://www.nld-dtp.org.uk/how-apply.

Informal enquiries may be made to catriona.anderson@newcastle.ac.uk

The deadline for all applications is 12noon on Monday 22nd July 2024. 

Part-Time Study Options

All NLD DTP PhDs are available as part time or full time, with part time being a minimum of 50% of full time. Please discuss potential part time arrangements with the primary supervisor before applying to the programme.

Project CASE Status

This project is a CASE project. Your project will be co-supervised by the non-academic partner organisation, and you will spend 3-18 months on a placement with your CASE partner in their workplace. You will experience training, facilities and expertise not available in an academic setting, and will build business and research collaborations. Your CASE partner will also contribute an additional £1,000 per year to your Research and Training Support Grant.