Mechanical stimulations modify plant growth and defense. This includes mechanical stimulations by sound waves ! But the relationship between the properties of the mechanical signal and the quality of defense priming remains enigmatic. We propose a PhD project to study this question using mathematical modeling and molecular biology approaches.
Topic: Modeling and control of defense priming by soundwaves in plants
Required background: Masters or engineer degree with a strong background in mathematical modeling and informatics/programming, an interest for wet lab experiments in plant biology.
Project summary: The project aims at understanding and controlling defense priming in plants to improve disease resistance. The proposed work consists in exploring, modeling and optimizing the effect of soundwaves on the priming of defense responses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana when challenged by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. We will perform acoustic priming experiments with various priming sequences, sound frequencies and intensities and generate dual RNAseq data to quantify plant and fungal gene expression. We will develop a mathematical model of defense priming connecting priming sequences to disease resistance through the prediction of key gene expression levels. Modeling will mostly involve dynamic graphical models. Finally, we will test predictions of the model experimentally and design, through simulations, the optimal sequence of priming by sound waves to increase plant disease resistance or activate specific genes.
To apply: contact [email protected] and [email protected] with a reference letter, CV and grades of your Masters training.
The position is funded for 3 years by INRA MIA division and Region Occitanie.