China Scholarship Council: Exploring the role of extracellular vesicles in insect pest saliva

Sap-feeding insect pests cause significant economical damage to crops globally. While probing and feeding these insects secrete saliva inside their hosts which contains a wide range of molecules, including proteins, RNA, and metabolites. Exactly how these molecules are delivered in saliva into the host cells and intercellular space remains unclear. While extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated recently in virus transmission from sap-feeding insects to plants, their role in mediating delivery of insect and virus molecules to the host is yet to be determined. Interestingly, EVs have emerged to play an important role in effector delivery of filamentous plant pathogens, and therefore are key mediators of pathogen virulence. In this project, we will explore the role of sap-feeding insect (aphid) EVs in mediating plant-insect-virus interactions. The overarching research question: What is the role of EVs produced by sap feeding insects in mediating plant-insect-virus interactions? 

The initial research objectives are to: 

• Identify EVs in saliva from the aphid pest Myzus persicae (and potentially additional species)
• Optimise isolation of EVs from aphid saliva
• Analyse the cargo of aphid saliva EVs
• Perform comparative analyses of aphid saliva EVs upon diverse host interactions and virus transmission

Approach: We will use in vitro saliva collection methods combined with EV purification protocols for EV isolation followed by methods such as Transmission Electron Microscopy, and proteomics to characterise EVs, and their cargo, under different environments (eg host plant interaction, virus infection). EV-associated proteins of interest may be further characterized using a range of molecular biology and biochemistry tools, and in planta functional assays.  

Training: The student will receive extensive training in molecular biology, microscopy and biochemistry approaches and data analyses. During their training the student will have access to post-doctoral supervision to help develop their technical skills, to mentoring and supervision to support career development, writing, and organisational skills, as well as to a range of career development courses.  

Impact: Whilst our initial focus will be on characterisation of EVs from the aphid pest M. persicae, we expect that developed protocols and findings will be extendable to other sap feeding pests (eg whiteflies), and potentially other agriculturally important herbivorous insects. Understanding the role of EVs in the plant-insect-virus dialogue will underpin our ability to develop new pest and virus control strategies in economically important crops.  

The student will be hosted in the groups of Dr. Jorunn Bos and Prof. Paul Birch at the University of Dundee/James Hutton Institute.  

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.

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