Mechanisms and Evolution of Plant Defence Against Herbivores

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Plants-herbivore interactions have large and important effects on the ecology and evolution of natural and managed ecosystems. My research program examines the mechanisms and evolution of antiherbivore plant defences, as well as how herbivores influence plant reproductive traits. In the next 5 years, my lab will address three research objectives: 1) Comprehensively identify the genetic and phenotypic mechanisms of plant defence against herbivores. 2) Determine the environmental and genetic factors affecting the molecular and phenotypic evolution of antiherbivore defences. 3) Test whether antiherbivore defences affect the evolution of plant reproductive traits. To achieve Objective 1, we will characterize the genetic and phenotypic mechanisms of defence in one model system and one non-model system. We will combine existing whole-genome sequence data (Arabidopsis), and transcriptome data (Oenothera), with comprehensive phenotyping to build a genes-to-phenotype understanding of antiherbivore defences. The defensive function of candidate genes will be validated using the CRISPR-cas9 genome editing system. In Objective 2, we will conduct three projects that examine how environmental gradients and plant sexual reproduction affect the evolution of defence. First, we will test whether plant species in the genus Oenothera vary in defence along latitudinal gradients, which will help resolve current debate about the role of biogeography in plant-herbivore coevolution. Second, we will examine whether Trifolium repens exhibits genetic and phenotypic clines in cyanogenic defences along urban-rural gradients where anthropogenic activities cause dramatic changes in the environment. Third, we will use transcriptome data to test if repeated loss of sex across the Oenothera genus affect molecular evolution of defence proteins. In Objective 3, we will test how pollinators, herbivores and defence interact to affect the evolution of plant reproductive traits. In one project we will test how pollinators and herbivores interact to affect floral evolution (e.g., petal size) of Trifolium. In a second project we will examine whether herbivores facilitate the evolutionary transition from hermaphroditism to separate sexes in Sagittaria. IMPACT & TRAINING - The results from these projects will provide the most comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and evolution of plant defence to date. Our results will have direct implications for agriculture and plant biopharmaceutical industry. Highly qualified personnel (HQP) will play a central role in all of my research objectives. I will provide training for 60 HQP at all levels (PDF, PhD, MSc, BSc). HQP will gain expertise in a multidisciplinary suite of techniques while publishing novel high-impact publications. I will also provide professional training on future careers in science, which has proven effective with previous HQP in my lab.