Symbiosis in a thermally variable world

About this opportunity

Background: Symbiotic interactions define the biology, ecology and evolution of animals and plants. This impact is particularly profound in insects, where microbes are core components of insect nutritional physiology, defence against natural enemies, desiccation tolerance and resistance to xenobiotics. It is known that symbioses can be impacted by their thermal environment, and understanding this sensitivity is of key importance in a time of changing climates.

Objectives: Thermal sensitivity of symbiotic interactions is known to exist, but its causes and persistence of impacts over time are poorly understood. The core project aim is to examine the causes and drivers of thermal impacts in insect systems, with a focus on otherwise well understood symbioses in flies and aphids. We will examine, for instance:

• The impact of diurnal temperature shifts compared to constant temperature exposure.
• The extent to which the effects of thermal shocks are felt beyond the initial impact, in particular through generations.
• The involvement of phage activation in thermal sensitivity. Many symbionts carry prophage (latent virus) in their genomes, and it is known in other systems that stress can induce viral activation and bacterial lysis and death. In this objective, we will meld the previously distinct fields of symbiosis and phage biology to test if symbiosis sensitivity is driven by virus activation.

Novelty: Previous research in this area has commonly used ecologically unrealistic constant thermal environments, which have poor real world applicability at higher latitudes. Research has also been largely descriptive in terms of the phenotype of the symbiosis, viz phenotype strength and symbiont titre, without regard to causal basis; the phage activation hypothesis represents a novel and predictive hypothesis for thermal sensitivity – for instance it would predict that symbiont with intact prophage show greater sensitivity to thermal extremes compared to symbionts that do not.

Timeliness: Thermal environmental extremes are a pressing problem, and extreme events (both cold and heat) are becoming more common. Understanding the impact of these events on ecologically crucial partnerships is need to predict how these relationships may become broken by extreme events.

Applicant Background: this project would suit people with a background in one or more of: Zoology; Entomology; Genetics; Microbiology; Ecology. This may be evidenced either in formal training (e.g. degree) or through other experience alongside a broader first degree. We welcome applications from traditionally excluded backgrounds.

Training: You will be trained in relevant practical skills (insect husbandry, experimental design and analysis; symbiont detection and titre measurement, phage detection); in addition training will be delivered in report writing, presentation skills and other relevant quantitative skills. The project will also involve a placement centring on public engagement and writing reports for stakeholders.

Further reading

Jones, J. E., & Hurst, G. D. D. (2023). History matters: Thermal environment before but not during wasp attack determines the efficiency of symbiont-mediated protection. Molecular Ecology, 32, 3340–3351. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16935

Corbin, C., Jones, J.E., Chrostek, E., Fenton, A. and Hurst, G.D.D. (2021), Thermal sensitivity of the Spiroplasma–Drosophila hydei protective symbiosis: The best of climes, the worst of climes. Mol Ecol, 30: 1336-1344. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15799

Corbin, C., Heyworth, E., Ferrari, J. et al. Heritable symbionts in a world of varying temperature. Heredity 118, 10–20 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2016.71

Who is this for?

This project is open to UK and international applicants with their own funding. Funding should cover course fees, living expenses and research expenses (bench fees).

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project, as well as general student living costs.

Funding your PhD

This PhD is for self-funded or externally sponsored applicants. You would need to be able to cover the University tuition fees at the appropriate rate (see https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/postgraduate-research/), and £4k per year bench fees. International Student Applicants whose first degree is not taught in English will need appropriate English qualification alongside their academic qualifications.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.