Linking oak genetics and the microbiome: effects on plant growth and disease suppression (CENTA 2025-B24)

Trees are essential components of terrestrial biomes but face significant threats from climate change and disease. Plant genomes encode genes associated with disease resistance and susceptibility, but due to the sessile and long-lived nature of tree species, they are disproportionately impacted by climate change and encounters with pathogens that they have not co-evolved with. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of plant-associated microbiota in extending the phenotypic repertoire of plant hosts, including microbial-mediated plant beneficial traits such as growth promotion, stress tolerance and disease suppression. Multicellular tree hosts and their associated microbiota may therefore express a variety of phenotypes (e.g. stress tolerance). Recent studies have also demonstrated that specific plant genes can shape the assembly and function of microbial communities in the plant host. Consequently, understanding the link between plant genetics and the encoded metabolic pathways that direct the assembly of the plant-associated microbiome provides new opportunities to identify tree genotypes with desirable traits such as resistance to disease and environmental stress. Whilst this interaction has been observed for model plant and crop species, the links between tree genetics and microbiome assembly is barely understood.

This collaborative and interdisciplinary project will utilise oak genome data and microbiome profiles for the same individual oak trees, already generated by the supervisory team, to identify oak genotypes associated with specific microbial taxa. Subsequently, the impact of oak genotype on microbiome assembly (recruitment of inoculated microorganisms) and beneficial traits (growth promotion, drought tolerance, and disease resistance) will be validated experimentally in controlled glasshouse experiments with oak seedlings of known genotype. This project is a partnership between the University of Birmingham, Kew Gardens and Forest Research and will provide the candidate with a multidisciplinary training in tree health. Engineering tree microbiomes through the selection of host genotypes that direct the recruitment and assembly of beneficial microbiota is an important emerging area of research with potential to enhance the success of tree planting initiatives and safeguard global forest biomes and the societal, ecological and economic services they provide.

Project Highlights:

Plant genotype can influence the recruitment of beneficial microorganisms This phenomenon is barely understood in tree species This project investigates links between oak genetics and microbiome composition and its role in health and disease For further information on this project and details of how to apply to it please visit https://centa.ac.uk/studentship/2025-b24-linking-oak-genetics-and-the-microbiome-effects-on-plant-growth-and-disease-suppression/ Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/

Funding notes:

The CENTA DTP is currently awaiting confirmation of funding under the BBSRC-NERC Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) scheme, which is the new name for Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). This funding will support cohorts starting from 2025 onwards. We anticipate receiving further information by late October or early November 2024. Funding for this PhD opportunity is therefore subject to this confirmation. For further information please visit https://centa.ac.uk/. UKRI allows international students to be eligible for studentships but only for a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Please be aware that CENTA funding does not cover any additional costs relating to moving to and residing in the UK. All international applicants must ensure they can fulfil the University of Birmingham’s international student entry requirements, which includes English language requirements. For further information please visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgt/requirements-pgt/international/index.aspx.