{"id":145760,"date":"2026-07-01T08:58:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T00:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/?post_type=hdr-r-projects&#038;p=145760"},"modified":"2026-07-01T08:58:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T00:58:21","slug":"effector-discovery-in-parastagonospora-avenae-and-their-roles-in-septoria-avenae-blotch-of-oat","status":"publish","type":"hdr-r-projects","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/hdr-r-projects\/effector-discovery-in-parastagonospora-avenae-and-their-roles-in-septoria-avenae-blotch-of-oat\/","title":{"rendered":"Effector Discovery in Parastagonospora Avenae and Their Roles in Septoria Avenae Blotch of Oat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-1000x500.jpg\" alt=\"Agriculture and environment\" class=\"wp-image-145761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-1000x500.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-740x370.jpg 740w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-1260x630.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-1520x760.jpg 1520w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PXL_20251021_071743459-1920x960.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parastagonospora avenae is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen that causes Septoria avenae blotch (SAB), a damaging disease of oat, especially in Western Australia where no commercial oat varieties are resistant to the disease. Average yield losses in high-rainfall production regions can reach up to 50%, resulting in significant economic losses. One of our recent studies demonstrated that P. avenae produces host-specific necrotrophic effectors (NEs). These effectors are believed to interact with host susceptibility genes to induce disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To date, little is known about the role of NEs in the P. avenae\u2013oat pathosystem. Consequently, there is a need to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying disease development and to identify fungal effectors that can be developed into breeding tools for improved oat resistance. A reference genome of the pathogen is currently being assembled by our team, alongside additional genome resources generated from previous studies. These resources will be used for effector prediction, comparative genomics, and functional validation of candidate effectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Aim&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This project aims to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify novel necrotrophic effectors produced by P. avenae.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine the roles of these effectors in Septoria avenae blotch disease development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop molecular tools to assist oat breeding programs by identifying and removing susceptibility factors associated with disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Objectives&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The successful candidate will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Utilise genomic, transcriptomic, and bioinformatic approaches to identify candidate effector genes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compare candidate effectors with known effectors from the closely related pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum, the causal agent of Septoria nodorum blotch in wheat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functionally characterise priority effector candidates using laboratory and plant-based assays.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investigate host\u2013pathogen interactions and the role of susceptibility genes in disease development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop molecular markers and knowledge resources that support resistance breeding in oat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Significance&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This project will advance our understanding of the molecular basis of Septoria avenae blotch and provide critical knowledge of the effectors that drive disease development in oat. The outcomes will support the development of improved disease-resistant oat varieties and contribute to the long-term sustainability and profitability of the Australian oat industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project is supported by a research group with more than 25 years of experience investigating fungal effectors and host\u2013pathogen interactions, particularly in the P. nodorum\u2013wheat pathosystem. The student will have access to newly generated genomic resources, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, bioinformatics infrastructure, and expertise in molecular plant pathology, fungal genomics, and disease resistance breeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Ideal Candidate&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in plant pathology, fungal biology, molecular biology, genomics, or bioinformatics. Applicants should possess excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn new techniques. Experience in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, plant science, bioinformatics, or related disciplines is desirable but not essential. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about conducting impactful research that supports Australian agriculture and contributes to improving disease resistance in oat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This project is open to International and Domestic applicants.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Scholarship&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are identified as the preferred candidate for this project, you may be considered for an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/scholarships\/research-training-program-rtp-scholarships\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RTP scholarship<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-intro-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Enquires and How to Apply&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For enquires about this opportunity contact Dr Kealan Hassett via <a href=\"kealan.hassett@curtin.edu.au\">kealan.hassett@curtin.edu.au<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To formally apply submit an <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.curtin.edu.au\/Produce\/Form\/External%20Forms\/Graduate%20Research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expression of Interest<\/a> to Dr Kealan Hassett during the Central Scholarship round (July 1st &#8211; July 31st 2026)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"template":"","faculties":[51],"hdr_types":[5487],"research_areas":[34],"class_list":["post-145760","hdr-r-projects","type-hdr-r-projects","status-publish","hentry","faculties-science-and-engineering","hdr_types-rtp-scholarship","research_areas-agriculture-and-environment"],"acf":false,"featured_image":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects\/145760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/hdr-r-projects"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr-r-projects\/145760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"faculties","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculties?post=145760"},{"taxonomy":"hdr_types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hdr_types?post=145760"},{"taxonomy":"research_areas","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research_areas?post=145760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}