Exploring Thermal Adaptation in Zymoseptoria tritici: linking phenotypic and genomic insights

The BSPP bursary student will investigate the heat sensitivity of Z. tritici using high-throughput phenotypic screening, genomic analysis, and microscopy. The selected isolates include strains represented in a pangenome with existing genomic, transcriptomic, and infection data. By integrating thermal sensitivity as a phenotypic trait into this dataset, we aim to uncover how genetic diversity influences observable traits like thermal tolerance. Microscopy will examine the morphological responses of the library of isolates exposed to heat stress. The student will analyse existing phenotypic screening data alongside genomic and transcriptomic information to identify correlations with observed traits. Through this placement, the student will contribute meaningful insights while gaining experience in plant pathology research.Core Aims

1. Investigating Heat Sensitivity: Measure growth responses of Z. tritici field isolates under varying temperatures using a microplate reader. Compare isolates infecting durum (Triticum turgidum) and bread (Triticum aestivum) wheat to explore differences in thermal tolerance driven by host adaptation.2. Linking Phenotypic Variation to Genomic Features: Leveraging genomic data from a Z. tritici pangenome to investigate whether differences in heat sensitivity correlate with specific genomic features.

3. Visualizing Morphological Responses Using Microscopy: The student will use microscopy to examine morphological changes in Z. tritici isolates exposed to heat stress.This project offers an exciting opportunity for hands-on experience in cutting-edge plant pathology research:

• Skills in microbiology, including aseptic techniques and fungal pathogen culturing.• Skills in microscopy visualising fungal morphology under stress conditions using light and fluorescence microscopy.

• Experience working in an active research team environment, participating in group meetings.• Experience in high-throughput screening using advanced laboratory equipment.

• Data analysis proficiency using statistical software (e.g., R Studio).Recommended reading for the project

General background:Steinberg G. (2015) Cell biology of Zymoseptoria tritici: Pathogen cell organization and wheat infection. Fungal genetics and biology, 79, 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2015.04.002Francisco, CS., Ma, X., Zwyssig, MM. et al. (2019) Morphological changes in response to environmental stresses in the fungal plant pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. Sci Rep, 9, 9642. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45994-3

Rudd, JJ., Kanyuka, K., Derbyshire, M., et al. (2015) Transcriptome and Metabolite Profiling of the Infection Cycle of Zymoseptoria tritici on Wheat Reveals a Biphasic Interaction with Plant Immunity Involving Differential Pathogen Chromosomal Contributions and a Variation on the Hemibiotrophic Lifestyle Definition. Plant Physiology, 167(3), 1158-1185. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.114.255927Project-specific background:

Chen, H., King, R., Smith, D.et al. (2023) Combined pangenomics and transcriptomics reveals core and redundant virulence processes in a rapidly evolving fungal plant pathogen. BMC Biol, 21, 24 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-023-01520-6Boixel, AL., Delestre, G., Legeay, J. et al. (2019) Phenotyping Thermal Responses of Yeasts and Yeast-like Microorganisms at the Individual and Population Levels: Proof-of-Concept, Development and Application of an Experimental Framework to a Plant Pathogen. Microb Ecol, 78, 42–56 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-018-1253-6